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Open Poetry #48
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The Cauldron
| Open Poetry #48 |
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The Cauldron |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California 
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The Cauldron Round and round, I feel the tug on me, perfect and slow... Stirring, whirring, and so I'm drug 'cross the fathoms below. The surface boils, bone thin arms toil before eyes raving mad. A three skull blend evil portends through a long, slow ballad. The carvings on the cauldron glow - writings from ancient times. A lost language that none still know? An old church bell chimes! Feengurs linger, sifting thises and thats across the rim... Atop the boil, steam hisses, adding to the ghastly hymn. A head pops clear, a stifling groan - he doesn't know he's dead. But she stirs on, this vengeful crone, her eyes glowing bright red. Atrophy of a once brilliant mind calling for sacrifice, We came to her for favors kind - our knowledge was her price. The spells uttered, the powers bound, she raises her right hand. Though muttered, and mostly strange sound, I clearly understand... From her eyes I can see the stew, our consciousness now shared; But I'm still in the cauldron, too - For that, she's unprepared! And drawing the power from her, blistered flesh sagging from bones... I stand to wave a crooked finger, speaking in eldritch tones. I unweave flesh, I snatch the mind, I wrest the spirit, too... She crumbles to the floor, in kind, but a puddle of goo. As I step free from the cauldron, in awe of all transpired: The knowledge I've stumbled upon - the sheer power acquired... A flicker - a shadow of motion, I beckon the newcomer in. Ah, he just needs a love potion... It will cost him his skin! Michael Anderson Did I waste it? Not so much I couldn't taste it. Bono |
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| © Copyright 2012 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved | |||
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
On-the-job-training it would appear, but he learned very fast and very efficiently. Lots of madness and old church chimes and not to forget the goo. I see Peter Lorre somewhere in front of that stew. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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Startime1955 Senior Member
since 2012-04-22
Posts 1072Alberta, Canada |
Bravo...a wonderful tale to make the flesh shiver...I love it...*BIG HUGS* |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
The scene you set had me holding my breath... your internal rhyme is so irresistible I feared falling in. *S* And lurking somewhere in the back of my mind was faint hope that I could find the words to tell you how great a write this is... Then I came to the last line and all tension vanished with a grin of both appreciation and chagrin... He's lucky if love only costs him his skin! LOL Bravo, my friend... BRAVO! *S* |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
JP, yup... some very serious on the job training I'd say. Or maybe just a bad case of absolute power corrupting absolutely.  Startime1955, glad to give you a little chill. Ruth, haha! Falling in could be detrimental with a poem like this. Those cauldrons should come with warning labels. And skin IS highly overrated... Thought you knew that. Michael |
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ebonygirl Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000California U.S.A |
Quite a dark mystery... I liiiiked it! Will there be a sequel to The Cauldron? Sure hope so, Ms. E |
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Zinsser Senior Member
since 2001-02-27
Posts 1641Calif. |
great job love it.... i like the darker side any way just dont write it so well Thank You |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Yep, I am spell-bound by this poem. Gripping and so well-written! Thank you, Michael. A |
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