Mother Holle

Loaves steam, apple scent curls and twists from the cauldron;
hot breathy spells rise and pop with piquant punctuation
in Mother Holle’s kitchen.

Her sinister hand conjures incantations,
her dexter spins and weaves them needle prick by needle prick
into something lyrical and more poetic.

She no longer has the youth and charms
to lure suspicious folk and naïve children to her arms
but she possesses the magic of a flower

that blossoms by moonlight at the midnight hour,
white as a feathering of snow, its crystal petals spreading
an eiderdown to keep roots and bulbs warm for spring.

In the village, windows, doors and shutters are closed,
and wise women mutter as they nod their heads:
“Wrap up warm, Mother Holle is making her bed”.

Kim M. Russell, 2017

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A poem for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads Tuesday Platform.

Magaly is our host this Tuesday. She says, if winter is dancing towards our bit of the world, she hopes we are making plans to stay warm, which is why I’ve posted a newly written wintry poem! Thanks for reminding me that I need some new crazy socks, Magaly!

30 thoughts on “Mother Holle”

  2. This was an icy delight, Kim. Second stanza made me think of how there is magic and then there is craft — moonlight and rhyme — and that Mother Hollle is wizened enough to bring both to here noctal assaults (if she is malign). And what are we? … A wonderful winter poem.

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  4. Oooh I love this magical wintry tale that you have weaved here, Kim ❤️ Especially; “she possesses the magic of a flower that blossoms by moonlight at the midnight hour, white as a feathering of snow, its crystal petals spreading an eiderdown to keep roots and bulbs warm for spring.” ❤️

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  8. Oh, Kim, I love that you’ve weaved a poetic tale that doesn’t only read like a fairy tale, but feels like one. This poem pulls you towards the subject, in a way so potent that it must be magical. It’s hard to decide if she means anyone blessings or ills, because… after the ear and heart sip the words the rest of the body just wants to follow. Love it!

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  15. kaykuala
    She no longer has the youth and charms
    to lure suspicious folk and naïve children to her arms
    but she possesses the magic of a flower

    That’s the beauty of having certain skills that can be drawn upon to sustain itself when required

    Hank

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  16. kaykuala

    She no longer has the youth and charms
    to lure suspicious folk and naïve children to her arms
    but she possesses the magic of a flower

    That’s the beauty of making it possible to be called upon when required. The skills are sustained!

    Hank

    Liked by 1 person

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