An ogre kicked in our front door.
We listened, safe in bed,
while he demanded
with fearsome fist
meat without gristle,
bread without grist.
He left mother a belter
of a bouquet: purple pansies
bloomed around her eyes,
red roses dripped from her face.
Kim M. Russell, 2017
My response to dVerse Poets Pub Quadrille: Kick
De is our host for the Quadrille today and she has brought us a forceful, edgy word: kick. This is an early post as I have a busy day. I’ll be linking up later this evening.
writing in north norfolk 
That’s dark and powerful – it starts as a nursery rhyme and ends in domestic violence. Very subtle transition.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It comes from a dark place and I’m writing fairy tale poetry with The Poetry School at the moment, so it kind of grew out of that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How interesting. Is it a course?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, an online course. It’s the third one I’ve done. Some are really good and some quite well-known poets take part, for example Elisabeth Sennitt Clough and Lydia Popovich,. We have online chats every second Tuesday – we have one tomorrow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
something to think about…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve just had a look. Very, very interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
this move from fairy tale to reality is so unnerving Kim – the flower analogies makes for greatest impact
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Laura.
LikeLike
This gave me a chill!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Dark. Frenzied. Beautiful story. 😎😎😎🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely dark, Dorna
LikeLike
YEESH. This is terrifying. You’re channeling Grimm here. So well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, De!
LikeLike
I think that most horror stories really tell of reality… telling children to be cautious. The way you used flowers for that violence really made it even more difficult to absorb..
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s based on something real – not the ogre, of course – and it was hard to write.
LikeLike
this is the stuff of nightmares, Kim. Scary 44 words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so powerful Kim, the ‘bouquet of purple pansies and red roses’ runs especially deep xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Damn.
Quite sad and frustrating the end there. The bruises and blood.
An ogre indeed…nice job waxing it poetic, but…dang.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
I like the fantastical take you chose for this, Kim. The poem itself has great flow. And the drawing–grrr.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There were more drawings from that particular fairy tale – all menacing and far too scary for little ones..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m afraid real life is more scary for all of us now. I’m thinking of getting a concealed permit for church! Sad times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This poem packed a punch (forgive the pun). A subject close to my heart. Magically penned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Viv.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully she succeeded in protecting the children. Nice description of the ogre’s attack.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Frank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The ending images were a real kicker for me ~ Very subtly done Kim though my first impression was that he left her with flowers (but not of course) ~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Although some abusers bring flowers and then use their fists.
LikeLike
God, Kim. This is one of the best poems I’ve ever read. You are an incredibly gifted poet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Maggie. I am now blushing deeply.
LikeLike
I am being 100% genuine. A poem does not have to be long to be a masterpiece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That flower imagery at the end is chilling!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m pleased it hit the right spot.
LikeLike
Into the darkness we are plunged poetically; marvelous–macabre, stuff of nightmares. We forget the original fairy tales were bold & bloody.
LikeLiked by 1 person
But so was life. Most of them originate way back when abandoning children in forests, chopping off heads and other atrocities were commonplace…. oh, I forgot, in some places they still are.
LikeLike
Such chilling images – both in your (terrific) verse – and that really disturbing ogre image. Having just read the synopsis of ‘hop o my thumb’ – it just gets worse (so I think I’ll stop there)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Peter.
LikeLike
Ooh…scary…and I know a couple of ogres who attack emotionally as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t stand domestic abuse of any kind.
LikeLike
That is a power poem disguised as a fairy tale. I agree.. absolutely NO to domestic abuse. In my country a lot is currently being debated over marital rape and let’s hope women abused under the veil of marriage see justice done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your comments, Rajani. It is something I feel very strongly about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. Kudos to you for writing about it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very subtle yet powerful way to depict the dark side.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Vandana.
LikeLike
My goodness this is absolutely chilling! Love the flower imagery at the end. Brilliant!💞
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sanaa!
LikeLike
That belter bouquet rivals “she cut off their tails with a carving knife!” Oh my….Chilling indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I gave myself a shudder with this one!
LikeLike
Oh, Wow, that wasn’t nice at all! Poor Mom!
LikeLiked by 1 person
kaykuala
How frighteningly real such ogres appear to be! If looks can kill the killing itself!
Hank
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, this is exactly a true fairy tale should read like–bursting with horror, images that drive the reader under the bed (well, only if he has not heard of the monster who live there). Goodness gracious, this is chilling. And the imagery!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Magaly. I’m OK with under the bed, it’s the nightmares under the eyelids and in the brain that worry me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oy, a grisly tale, and illustration. Well done. The stuff of nightmares.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sherry!
LikeLike
Fascinating and horrible. Truly Grimm and truly excellent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLike
Fuck, I hope this didn’t come from your life. Excellent, visceral writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
From fairy tale to a real life mightmare. Just like some nursery rhymes. Very vivid inagery. Powerfully done Kim.
Pat
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Pat.
LikeLike
Goodness! You have a lot of comments hete…and this poem mos def deserves them. Domestic violence is never pretty and you have told this tale in all of its horror. The flower images at the end is heart breaking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Toni.
LikeLike
Goodness, this is dark. It really works with the image. I am thinking Tales from the Dark side
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Susie! By the way, it’s lovely to see you on Visual Verse!
LikeLike
Powerful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much!
LikeLike