The annihilator rises and dons his crown
of peaks tinged red with blood and dawn.
At his feet, leafless trees feign death,
mighty forests bristling with dread,
and convocations of eagles take wing,
their obedient beaks sharpened to do his bidding;
and we, like timid rabbits, scutter for shelter
from the emperor’s apocalyptic helter skelter.
Kim M. Russell, 3rd August 2019
Used with Permission
My response to Imaginary Garden with Real Toads Art FLASH / 55
For this weekend’s art collaboration, Kerry has introduced an illustrator in mixed media ink, Quincy Washington, from Portland, Oregon, USA, who has given permission for us to use his gold-embellished ‘Emperor of the Dawn’ for our poetic inspiration, which is part of his Zodiac Series: Royal Talens Collection – Leo.
Kerry says that there are no restrictions, we should let the image speak to us and respond in a poetic or prose form of our choosing. I chose to write a Flash 55.
writing in north norfolk 
A very harrowing portrait of utter conquest. The helplessness of the trees, unable to run so feigning death was their only choice, is a wonderfully terrifying detail.
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Thank you, Rommy.
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Wow. Brief and scary and harrowing. You went totally dark on this one and I like it. Convocations of eagles – trees feigning death, all of these scenes of hiding in plain sight.
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Thanks Toni!
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The image of the speaker(s) running in fright is very vivid. And those trees. It takes a lot of horror for all things to shake and run, or fly… Something extra powerful (and scary) brews out of the thought of eagles running away.
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Thank you, Magaly.
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I’ve been reading Richard Powers’ book “The Overstory” and this definitely has the same feeling of environmental destruction and despair (I’m hoping the ending will hold a little hope…) (K)
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Great book! Everyone should read it.
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Especially the people that won’t.
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I like your instilment of the feeling of hopeless subrogation under a feared ruler. Kind of creepy.
..
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Thanks Jim.
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This is a very tight poem, Kim. The imagery is very powerful, puts me in mind of Blake in the depiction of your protagonist. I also love the title.
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Thank you, Kerry. This weekend I seem to be channeling my inner Blake,.
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Sun kings bid these forest canopies cleared, the better to see Their glory: Brazil’s president has allowed Amazon deforestation to ramp up to a furious pace, declaring the death of the world’s heart and lungs Brazil’s — his — business alone. Those fearsome brass sun trumpets have always scattered the locals, but I wonder what will happen when free societies decide they will no longer abide the bullies who wave flags and give permission to fake sulk. Anyway, tight 55 and marvelously woven round Leo’s crown of burning thorns.
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Thanks Brendan!
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their obedient beaks
sharpened to do his bidding;
An annihilator seems to have many helpers to do a thorough job. Everyone appears to be defenseless. The way of the strong is frightening and sadly it is happening all the time
Hank
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Yur words did justice to this painting. I don’t blame the running away at the sight of such a creature!
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Thanks Viv!
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🙂
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