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Open Poetry #49
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A Swamp Saga
| Open Poetry #49 |
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A Swamp Saga |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana 
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Okay, this is a long one and took me a darn month to write. I love where I live in South Louisiana,it suits me just fine. But sometimes I feel the need to write dark poetry. <><><><><><><><><><> Okay, this is a long one and took me a darn month to write. I love where I live in South Louisiana,it suits me just fine. But sometimes I feel the need to write dark poetry. <><><><><><><><><><> Okay, this is a long one and took me a darn month to write. I love where I live in South Louisiana,it suits me just fine. But sometimes I feel the need to write dark poetry. <><><><><><><><><><> Bogged down in this swampy quagmire Voodoo Priestess hovering around Taunting me with hoodoo sounds Isolated and haunting from some ancient lyre. This bog, this hell on earth I foolishly trod Feeling my way from over there To here as I shed tears in despair Praying hard as I can to Sweet Jesus and God. Tendrils of cypress trees, possessed as they are Reach down to caress as I make flight To I know not where in my confused plight. Denizens of this nightmarish land are so bizarre. Slimy gators straight from the bowels of Hades Make my flight treacherous and precarious If it wasn't so deadly and perilous it'd be hilarious Cavernous jaws open wide, its breath a rancid smell. Why am I scurrying through this hell you ask If I just had somewhere to sit I'd relate Such a tale you'd think me a mental state But I can't tell I must stop the horror of the devil's mask. The raspy caw of a raven disrupts my thoughts Making me aware of my short time on earth My God, Oh my God, please give me rebirth Take me from the soggy marsh, I am overwrought. I know. I'm aware I am in this quandary all alone I partook of the forbidden, bitter pomegranate Not knowing it would lessen my life on this planet But it was a mistake, why can't I be allowed to atone? My clothes are tattered, falling from my bones I rush hither and yon, desperately seeking comfort From southern hospitality and maybe a parish court Alas, not to be, court date's already set in Voodoo Zone. Oh, ghosts of the unjustly accused use powers of long ago Weave them around this evil swamp and strangle Wickedness beneath every oak you should mangle Until nothing is left of the dreadful, evil Marie Laveau. That's it! It's all out now. It's Marie Laveau I flee Black magic sorcerer, eater of rotting flies Boiler of children in a pot, O, her, I despise She and her minions do chase me through this debris. Nutria and black bear haunt this accursed place Kudzu and runaway vines conspire against me Screaming from fright I trip on a cypress knee Flat down I plunk, quicksand embraces my face. A slimy cold varmint slithers across my neck I jump up with a loud, magnificent sound Shook myself like an old blue tic hound And leaned against a weeping willow, a total wreck. A bayou town is near I know and to it I must go And pray those who live there will give me aid I know, yes I know, just as likely I'll feel their blade They'll sure to be afraid the Voodoo Queen will show. The moon so pale, the night lit up like day Flying pestilence raining down from above Bats, crows, things not akin to a peaceful dove Diving at my head, eyes, my throat, I am their prey. My wife, my dearest, I'll not be there for you to bury No coffin with me inside to wail and mourn No church funeral, no six good men the casket carry. Days like this I wish I'd never been born. Could I but live through this awful ordeal A lingering, reflective thought will but remain Which I know it will ultimately be my bane Even rescued from this horror, internal wounds never heal. Plagued and lost I'm to wander on my solitary own History is wrought with hapless souls as I Who find comfort and peace with snow in July Since that will mean the curse has found itself my clone. A wandering man, much like the Jew I'm accursed Not stopping, no, never tarrying, my feet trod Wherever I go I'm doomed; I'm in Satan's squad Dear God, for me make this Voodoo charm reverse. Moon, don't leave me here in this place without light Purgatory on earth is what the Goddess of Torment Has banished me to, O, Prince of Peace please vent And rage and destroy my nemesis, I'll be humbly contrite. The moon hath deserted me to my awful fate In this pitch black, distressing and sad embrace Of a swamp where ancient trolls roam and pace Why fight it says to me, you know you're alligator bait. Oh nightmare of hell, you have more lost souls Screaming their silent screams of torment For release from their mindless descent To the bowels of this final despicable place like blind moles. Why the harlot of Hades picked me I wish I knew If I hadn't stopped for a drink at Albino Alligator's Saloon If I'd just kept on driving neath the full harvest moon But I did and this beauty in my ear did whisper and coo. Femme fatale from the blackest depths of the River Styx Fed me wondrous delights from her body of lies And soup with menstrual blood from her dark thighs Quick as a flash I was transported into this slippery swamp ick. No more. I can't run. Marie Laveau is shrieking loud She is coming, yes, I know she is, but one surprise She thrives on hate and fear from all us guys But I plan to make love to her, yes, I plan to astound. Old Marie won't know what to do. She'll open her eyes And see love shining through as I smile and like her, coo By the time I'm done she'll know what real love is for true But love she can't manage, it'll choke her dead for all her lies. ©April 9, 2016 / Jerry Pat Bolton ~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~ ~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~ [This message has been edited by JerryPat2 (05-24-2016 04:04 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2016 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Pete_W Member Posts 185 Scotland (UK) |
Nicely told story of your encounter with Marie (have to admit to cheating with google to find out who she was) lots of smiles all the way through especially "... slippery swamp ick...", lol, think you may have been slightly desperate for a rhyme there  Enjoyed muchly and nice ending on the power of love.Pete |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Fascinating a horror story for sure. best to you Jerry been away for a while but with a new computer I may be back. Miss your work. best, Jo |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Thank you, Jo, I have a computer with no viruses. Been without one for twenty-four hours. ~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~ |
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Cari Member Posts 411 Englnand |
What do you expect mate, living in a bloody swamp? You could do worse than moving over here. No voodoo priestesses, Zombies, or Vampires etc, we slung them out years ago, and our wildlife never looks at you with dinner on their mind. I mean you’re not going to be savaged by a pack of squirrels are you? They’re only after nuts, No, not yours. Pack your bags and I’ll meet you at the airport. I won’t bring Ma-in- Law, promise. Cari. |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
I like living in this old bloody swamp. ~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~ |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Pete! Sorry about not responding to your commit. It was the first comment, and still I missed it. Thank you for being here. ~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~ |
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Ari Squire Member Posts 488 In The Phallus Lane |
Engaging poetry of 'epic' proportion Jerry. Your keen knowledge of your surrounds is truly entertaining, not in a lighthearted way, but in an intensely personal way. "Tendrils of Cypress trees", for example lends itself to the more 'romantic' aspects of your insights. "The raspy caw of a raven disrupts my thoughts", also allows the reader to follow along on your sojourn. "She and her minions do chase me through this debris", adds some anxiety and excitement. "Plagued and lost I'm to wander on my solitary own", shows me that even the heart of a lion can feel despondency. "Why the harlot of Hades picked me I wish I knew", provokes a fitting moniker for Marie I'd say. And this: "But I plan to make love to her, yes, I plan to astound" mixed with this: "But love she can't manage, it'll choke her dead for all her lies", closes a great story with a touch of 'tongue in cheek'. Very well done Jerry. Thoroughly enjoyed. More feelings and fewer words please |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Thank you so much, Ari, for your very indepth comment. Thank you again! ~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~ |
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Ari Squire Member Posts 488 In The Phallus Lane |
You're quite welcome my friend. You never disappoint. I find your creativity inspiring. Such a place to explore and come to know. Many visit New Orleans, myself included, but few know the real depths of South Louisiana. Forgive my quip Jerry, but I hope you don't stop 'til you drop. Ari More feelings and fewer words please |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
. . . Ari, I plan on doing just that. not stopping til I drop! Thanks . . . ~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~ |
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