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Open Poetry #49
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jjote
Senior Member
since 2002-12-25
Posts 1088
Ontario, Canada

0 posted 2015-05-25 09:14 AM


[Sometimes I browse on myths and legends to find an interesting character - this one tickled my fancy, and am just imagining a poem for her - enjoy]

Flower vines wound sinuously toward labyrinths of trees 
in a forest so dense with habitation that here must have
musty legends and ancient beginnings been forged
to create powerful god-men and women.

Out of these myths and folklore was a deer woman,
Karah,  with the upper form of a young maiden
and lower body of a deer, who loved to wander
out of the woods in search of mortals 
gathered around campfires laughing and dancing
to the music of drums beating wild and erotic.

 Karah would emerge into this cocoon of light
like a misty dream, taking the image of a normal woman
blending with everyone but staying close
to the edge of light, its flickering shadows 
sheltering her like a blanket, obscuring her.

Clothed in flimsy silk, her head covered in fine shawl,
she floated effortlessly, dress shimmering like butterfly wings
as she danced sensuously to the rhythm of the drums.
She so loved to dance.

Men in drunken stupor would reach out to dance with her
dazzled with the silhouette vision of her beauty and grace,
intoxicating as a temptress or a chest of gold,
chasing her into secluded trees and dark hedges
a flitting hope of catching her into their arms
kept alive by a whisper of mysterious air 
that surrounded her like an elusive torch.

She lured them, seduced them, but always
at a safe distance but never to let them touch or hold her.
And woe to any mortal who persisted in capturing her - 
She would turn back to her real form - head with antlers
and mighty hooves on her feet.

In a fit of rage, she would stomp these mortals
Into a death inelegant and graceless


© Copyright 2015 Josefina Costales - All Rights Reserved
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
1 posted 2015-05-25 10:02 AM


Why? Why would she stomp these mortals after driving them crazy with desire? I loved this poem until all the stomping to death commenced.

~*~ When they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

jjote
Senior Member
since 2002-12-25
Posts 1088
Ontario, Canada
2 posted 2015-05-25 12:43 PM


haha.. she can't make love in her real form...zat's what's making her mad..
devina
Member Elite
since 1999-10-28
Posts 3539
Cali
3 posted 2015-05-25 07:53 PM


I have always known the deer-lady of native american legends to be a minxy-infatuater of mortal men- GREAT depiction here lady!

enjoyed your woven tale  
be well
~d


"..But a tyrant spell has bound me,
And I cannot, cannot go.."
~Emily Bronte
'The Night is Darkening Around Me'

[This message has been edited by devina (05-25-2015 10:16 PM).]

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
4 posted 2015-05-26 04:32 PM


Somewhat like the many stories of the Mermaids who came onto land and enticed men. Enjoyed
your take on it. Jo

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