Monday Miscellany – Or, Not, Actually

No miscellany today – sorry! I was intrigued by this week’s Magpie prompt & thought I’d write some obscure paean to snakes or some such. But then the poem took a totally different turn, as they often do. Please go here to read other responses to the prompt.

Please note: I am not PMSing right now, but this is a good representation of what it’s like when I am. Heh.



The Snake Charmer, Henri Rousseau, 1907


I don’t want to be charmed
or sigh with love.
There is that damned tree again
just begging to be scaled.
I sit with my back to the trunk
watching the moon through
leaves and unnamed dread.
I refuse to name it
because it is legion
and there aren’t enough words.
Rising from mossy ground
I wrap Legion around my neck.
I am going to carry it
with me today
and people will cross
to the other side of the street
in fear and loathing.
See? I knew that no one liked me.