Lucky 13
The day I turned thirteen
I discovered a witch's abode
hidden deep in the woods
abandoned under the
overgrowth,
a little hut, just an old
shack
but finding a door
a warm fire and more
it was a blessing for a
young girl
needing rescue
and gave it a look
opened the page and
read the oddest verse,
I laughed at the absurdity
but read with intent
"simply voice these words
and see your wish true"
the years passed
memories faded
until one night
his love turned cruel
his abuse grew
I didn't know what to do
on Halloween night,
it came to a head
he laughed himself silly
as he threatened to kill me
I fell to my knees
and said with hands folded,
those silly words,
I'd once read
in that magic book
forgive me, dear,
no menace
intended
I only wish
that you are blessed
with your own intent,
he laughed again
and raised the knife
the walls shook,
and the
floors clattered
then with a torrent
came hundreds of creatures abhorrent,
a foot in length,
with multiple
legs
they moved with intent
toward the threat
he screamed bloody murder
and tried to fight
but they covered him fully
then in a wisp of white vapor,
he and they
were all gone
and to this day
I've heard not a word
my bruises have healed
and my heart too
that shack in the woods
is now my home
is where I cast spells,
and grant wishes
my new stock in trade
so if you need aid,
don't be afraid
just open the book
the right spell will appear
for the dark arts know
the one you fear!
***
Tagline: 13 can be a very lucky number.
Yolanda Renée (C) 2021
****
Photo's by
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
Photo by Jessica Fadel on Unsplash
Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash
Huge smiles from here. I love this.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue!
DeleteLove it, Yolanda! He certainly got what he deserved. 👏👏👏 Shades of "Practical Magic" and "The Mummy", two favourite movies with similar scenes. 😎
ReplyDeleteI guess there is no original idea. Thanks for letting me know.
DeleteHi Renee - absolutely wonderful ... love it - and yes 13 is my lucky number - always has been ... fantastic poem to read - congratulations - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteIt's mine too. Thanks, Hilary!
DeleteI loved this! It was such a great story, and I'm glad her abusiver got what he deserved. My daughter's birthday is April 13th so 13 is lucky for me too.
ReplyDeleteLove it, my sister's birthday is April 13th. Thanks, Natalie!
DeleteIt has the voice of a powerful woman with no regrets. I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steph!
DeleteFabulous!I'm glad she remembered the words and re-found the home!
ReplyDeleteYep, me too. Thanks, Jemi!
DeleteEvery abused person wishes they could do this. But boy, how scary. If I were there, I'd freak at all those bugs. Well done.
ReplyDeleteNancy
So true, Nancy. I would too, such a sight!
DeleteLove it! Love it! Love it! I wish it was a true story. Great post, Renee.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Olga, I wish so too. I'd love to have a cabin in the woods and grant wishes. :)
DeleteI'm glad he got what he deserved! Thank you for sharing such an imaginative and compelling tale!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura!
DeleteLucky thirteen for sure. I love your poem. I’m glad she never forgot the words and used them to get rid of her abuser. Cool ending…living in the magic den and casting spells and granting wishes.
ReplyDeleteAlways has been for me! Hi, Lenny, wish I were there now!
DeleteA serious issue tackled with a light touch. Glad she was able to get rid of her abuser. Always love reading poetry entries for the challenge! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nila. A very serious issue! Wish there was a way to scare the Hell out of the abuser...or is that the abuser to Hell?
DeleteI am happy that her days of abuse are over. It is amazing what an abused person will endure before they say enough.
ReplyDeleteShalom aleichem
The abused will endure too much, will find excuse after excuse, will go to their death. I think it's a form of surrender, of giving up when no answer is in sight.
DeleteEnchanting narrative poem Yolanda. Full of pace and exquisite rhymes. Thanks for this surprising take on the prompt.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan, it the kind of month that calls for it!
DeleteSo glad that he got his just desserts Yolanda. You fora great poem!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carole!
DeleteIf only it were that easy to end abuse. Even if the wishes were only in her mind, I hope she finds strength to escape him.
ReplyDeleteIf only! So true. But it's perfect for a Halloween tale. Thanks, Denise.
DeleteLesson learned: Don't mess with women.
ReplyDeleteDamn right!!!
DeleteWonderful, and EVILISHLY whimsical! Enjoyed the images as well, it added to the prose.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael, wanted to break it up since it was so long.
DeleteSuch a clever, fun poem with a remarkable rhythm. 'he laughed himself silly/as he threatened to kill me' - look at that wonderful juxtaposition of words that would be quite unrelated to each other.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kalpana. Appreciate your words.
DeleteThis was super, Yolanda! Loved it! How I wish I would find such a shack and such a book! ;P
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, me too! :) Thanks, Shilpa!
DeleteNow that’s good magic!
ReplyDeleteI agree! :) Thanks, Rebecca!
DeleteSo glad he got his just rewards. Very lovely poem, Yolanda.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Neel! Welcome to the WEP. Your entry was lovely and heartbreaking!
DeleteAlways like tales where the villain gets his just rewards :) Nice one!
ReplyDeleteYay! Great story about justice.
ReplyDeleteI like the power behind this. Using the spells for protection in the end is a great way to weave magic. There's some rhyme and rhythm mixed in too.
ReplyDeleteAdore this poetic piece, Yolanda. And 13 is lucky, it's the number of the Moon so all who follow that Goddess. For me. it's second only to lucky 8.
ReplyDelete