Poem of the Week: “madwoman’s bane”

Well, a Halloween-ish weird one for you this week. I think? Irreantum published this at one point, but I don’t have the biblio info handy at the moment.

Madwoman’s Bane

by Linda Adams

“Release the beast!” the madwoman shrieks,

As she turns on stilettoed heel,

“The pot is boiling! The steel drum beats,

The blood will soon congeal!”

The cage lowers down on ratcheting chain,

Yellow fangs gleaming through the bars;

The madwoman rattles her childhood’s bane–

The teeth of young men sealed in jars.

Again she shrieks: “Release the beast!”

The door clatters as servants turn the wheel

The drooling creature sniffs for his feast,

An eyeless thing, it roots around by feel.

“Go on! Go on!” she howls, “It’s time to maim,

Ravage, and destroy! Mercury and Mars

Unite tonight! Soon victory we’ll claim!”

It flaps a stunted wing, and sucks upon its scars.

She kicks the beast straight toward its feast.

Catching scent, soon skin and flesh begin to peel.

Claws dig in, with wicked grin. The madwoman squeals:

“Enjoy your feast! But remember–BEAST! You must

                                                   LEAVE ME THE TEETH!”

 

 

 

And NO, DUH, it’s not autobiography. Don’t ask me what it means. It doesn’t. Better luck getting Kurt Cobain back from the dead to explain “Heart-Shaped Box.” 

Have a happy and safe Halloween. Check your kids’ candy and don’t forget to take out your Parent Tax from their loot. LOL.