He sits
knitting a house of sticks
to stave off harpies
who would
pluck his bloody,
still beating heart
from the vest pocket
where he keeps it,
wrapped
in a monogramed
handkerchief.
Check out The Mag for more responses to this curious image.
Image by ParkeHarrison
you def have to watch out for those harpies...and maybe he should protect it a bit more you know...
ReplyDeleteWell, till now he's been wearing it on his sleeve Brian ;-)
DeleteI like 'knitting a house of sticks' - let's hope it's strong enough to withstand the attack.
ReplyDeleteYes, let's hope.
DeleteOoooo.. Bad Harpies!
ReplyDeleteI hope they don't huff and puff and blow his house down ;)
heheh - I was thinking of the little pig's house of sticks too! Great minds...
DeleteFolks . . don't take on Mary's imagination. She'll leave you in the "also rans"
ReplyDeleteThank you Doctor!
DeleteOooh, I like this!! Has kind of a Celtic folklore feel to it. Nicely done, Mary!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Ginny. And thanks for catching the typo too! xo
DeleteGreat! I love the end especially- have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThank you Izzy! I hope you had a good weekend also.
DeleteYour curious poem fits the curious image.
ReplyDeleteCuriouser and curiouser!
DeleteThose harpies are scary, no wonder he needs to build such a house, should have used bricks though.
ReplyDeleteHeheh - what a smart cat you are!
Deletehoo- this is well written tensely packed piece=well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Kathe.
DeleteHad to think about this a bit and decided you are probably being a bit over dramatic with the blood. However, I liked it so much that I thought some more and decided that, even after a harpie, and I have known a few, takes your heart, have a listen and ten to one you still have it!
ReplyDeleteI guess it is a bit like what they say about prostitutes; What they sell they got free, they sell it for a lot of money and after each sale they still have it! You can't say that about boots or ladders or even potatoes, but you can say it about hearts, particularly if the harpie is a very wealthy widow!
I am not well... obviously so I will stop being silly and go to bed.
Hahaha, what a thoughtful, delightful reply! And...I guess what you say is true (never actually thought about the prostitute compared to potato bit, lol) but one's heart is never the same after the harpies are through with it. Thank you Stafford. :o)
DeleteThanks for the visit... I am well, but clearly as evidenced by blatant stupidity, I need psychiatric help or maybe a brain bypass... hang on, I have already had one of those!
DeleteI know a good shrink that lives nearby. Good luck!
DeleteI feel his fear, admire the way he protects himself...great imagination..well done..
ReplyDeleteThank you Lyn.
Deleteyour poem took me to another place..another poem in my mind....well done and thanks
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks Wayne, and that's really good to know :o)
Deletewonderful words......
ReplyDeleteThank you Kay!
DeletePocket is where the heart stands..and we have to train those pockets not to meddle with the hearts ;)
ReplyDeletelol, Yes, thanks Umamaheswari.
ReplyDeleteWonderful words indeed!
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
thank you Anna :o)
ReplyDeleteRemarkable, powerful response to the prompt...
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Berowne. :o)
ReplyDeleteTo protect from harpies, I think he should probably learn a trick or two from the story of the three little piggies and the wolf... Bricks and mortar can protect much better than twigs...This is really beautiful, Mary!!! *big smile*
ReplyDeleteNice one! Starts out so innocently and then really packs a wallop!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kat!
DeleteA monogrammed handkerchief .. yes, it would have to be.
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ReplyDeleteSure, I'd do that....but only to stave off harpies.
ReplyDelete:-0. No tiny tissue pack for him .
I really like "knitting a house of sticks"...nice...
ReplyDeleteThanks Tess. This was a challenging one for me.
DeleteIn my little empire of reason, my heart is simply an object to be wrapped and carefully labelled in my monogrammed handkerchef, aaassscchoooo !
ReplyDeleteGesundheit!
DeleteLOL. Love the photo. It is the monogramed handkerchief that is provoking all this unwanted attention:)
ReplyDeletelol, Who knew? Thanks.
DeleteKnitting sticks, eh? That's one craft I have yet to try! Loved the vest pocket heart, too...
ReplyDeleteThanks Jinksy - I understand you knit ducks though :o)
DeleteWhat a great response to the prompt. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteEvery word.
=)
Thank you T!
ReplyDeleteHey! Hey! What regal and power-packed images your poem conjured up for me! Loved it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Helena!
ReplyDelete