Images: F3.1, Bloody Mary, Pantoum Form
Be Afraid
You scoff. Say it’s merely folklore,
no fears from a mythical tale,
but away from the mirror, gaze at the floor,
beware the world’s thinned veil!
No fears from a mythical tale.
you say. But don’t light the candle,
don’t say her name, don’t watch for her image pale–
don’t yearn for what you cannot handle.
You say, “but don’t.” Light the candle
I will. There’s a dare in the air, and to it, I thrill—
don’t yearn for what you cannot handle.
I can. Yet suddenly I feel a chill.
Still, I will. There’s a dare in the air, and to it, I thrill–
until I don’t. Bloody Mary in the glass, I can’t—
I can. Yet suddenly I feel a chill.
I see her pass, I hear her laugh, rant, chant–
until . . . I don’t. Bloody Mary in the glass! I can’t.
But away from the mirror, gaze at the floor—
though I see her pass, I hear her laugh, rant, chant.
You scoff. Say it’s merely folklore.
Paul Brookes is hosting a month-long ekphrastic challenge using folklore images to celebrate the launch of his new poetry collection, “As Folktaleteller.” I just had a bit of fun with this one, but there are some other excellent responses. You can see the images here, and also read the other responses.
My favorite podcast, Ghosts in the Burbs, had a Bloody Mary episode.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Scary fun
Thank you, Derrick. It’s that time of year!
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Thank you, Michael!
A shivery outing . . .
Thank you. 🙂
You’re welcome, Merril. 🙂
This sets the tone perfectly for the month of Halloween, Merril! 🎃
Thank you, Ingrid! 😊🍁
I like this one. It’s a clever pantoum, and it doesn’t read like fun to me!
Thank you very much! I wasn’t sure if it worked, but I’m pleased you like it.
I was having scary fun. 🙂
It’s always fun writing terrifying stuff. It’s odd really.
It is. But I like reading and listening to scary stuff, too. (Scary like this, not real world scary.)
No, real world scary is too much.
I agree!
Excellent! This is a great challenge. I don’t know how you find the time! I will save some of the images, maybe I’ll find a way to fit one or two in. (K)
Well, we will see if I find the time to keep it up. Paul sent the first set of images to me a few weeks ago, but of course I didn’t look at them right away. 😏
I don’t know how he does it either. Maybe it’s old age…
🙂
Yes, you did have fun with this one. What else can we do when Samhain is getting ready to chuck pumpkins at us? 🎃🧙♀️🧟♀️
Hahaha. Right.
Thank you, Resa.
Welcome! lol
😊
Oooh! Well done! Perfect for October and getting us into the mood.
I’ll be catching up… but I see the time. More later!
Thank you, Dale. Yes, a spooky month!
Have a wonderful day.
You too!