Nothing taunts like an April morning.
They are fickle,
promising mildness
which turns to bluster
by the time shadows curl up
at your feet.
It does not pay
to be in too much of a hurry
in April.
A bold sprout may thrust
through resistant earth
in March.
Perhaps it shall thrive.
Or has the sudden frost disturbed its bed?
Shall the evening find it
yellowed and
indistinguishable
among the withered remains of fall?
Though even in decay,
there may yet be life.
A stalwart mother
using all the strength of eight legs
took care
to hide her treasure
when she and the daylight
were dying.
So that her brood might
emerge during one of April’s benevolent moods
and have time to hide from each other
in October’s desiccated leavings,
before they devour each other
in the frenzy of birth.
Then, it pays to be fast.
The Hunger by Shelle Kennedy.
Visit her blog, Sunshine Shelle, for more wonderful art work!
Song Choice: Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve
This poem was inspired by the Prompt Given by Magaly Guerrero, Dark Poetry for the Cruelest Month 2016: Has It Begun to Sprout?
Wonderful opening line. And then I love the way that you build on it, and the snappy closing.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was a blast to write.
DeleteI almost typed Rosemary's first three words. That first line is such a hook. You can hear the speaker sigh, with April's mood swings in her mind. The progression of this poem is magnificent, Rommy. It reminds me of the season--especially with the madness that has been infusing them lately--and it reminds me of life, and death, and what happens in between. Just yummy!
ReplyDeleteAnd Shelle's art gives it an extra growl.
I squeed when I found that particular piece of Shelle's. It had the perfect feel of horror and uncertainty.
DeleteLove this contrast!"It does not pay to be in too much of a hurry..." and "Then, it pays to be fast". It places a reader at opposite ends,and the build up in between...like life always does. Your poem is skillfully depicted:)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I was trying to get that feeling of April's insane contrasts across. It was easy when I read the local weather forecast to find that after a 70 degree day, there was a slight chance of snow on Sunday!
DeleteOr has the sudden frost disturbed its bed?
ReplyDeleteShall the evening find it
yellowed and indistinguishable
among the withered remains of fall?
This is beautifully haunting..!!
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Thanks! I was going for haunting, though I think my quirky sense of humor had a say in some of the contrasts that made it in there. :D
Delete*Sets aside some Depakote for April...
ReplyDeleteLove how moody April is and the image of shadows curling up at my feet! This feels like a poem one would find in an old book on a high shelf while the fireplace crackles and a cup of cocoa steams nearby. Lovely!
That's very high praise indeed! Thanks! :)
DeleteBirth & Death, the quick or the dead, Rommy this hit me in the guts when I was transported from 'mother' to 'eight legs', what a surprise, loved the seasonal change that accompanies it and I am super chuffed you used my 'Hunger'... I have the cat that swallowed the canary grin plastered on my face :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad at the quick swings in the poem worked well. That bit you mention was one of my favorite swerves. Thank you for letting me show off your awesome work. :)
DeleteBrilliant Rommy! I love the way you use your words! "So that her brood might
ReplyDeleteemerge during one of April’s benevolent moods" Excellent!
Thanks!
DeleteOf course I love Shelle's art!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm very psyched to use yours as well. I definitely have a couple of pieces in mind :)
DeleteSuch truth about the month of April. I love the last line so much! I, also, love that when I read your words now, I hear them in your wonderful storyteller voice! Great pairing with Shelle's art!
ReplyDeleteLOL, thanks! :)
DeleteDark and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI am so loving the words you are putting to Shelles yummy images :D XXX
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky to have talented friends who inspire me.
DeleteBeautiful...I loved the ending. Shelle's artwork is a great compliment to your great word art.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Her artwork is pretty amazing. :)
Delete