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| www.trevorpearson.com |
It seems like just yesterday Bridget lost a digit in Limerick Alley, and now here comes more bad news. Sorry about this folks, but when Friday the 13th meets Poetry Friday, I am left with no choice. My inner child turns into a little freak that runs through the house with scissors.
With love, from Sinclaire
Sinclaire lived a life of extremes—
this nightmarish girl of my dreams.
She swore without doubt,
“love you inside and out,”
as she ripped me apart at the seams.
© 2013 Michelle Heidenrich Barnes. All rights reserved.
Secret confession here: I really don't like horror all that much. I've never picked up a Stephen King novel in my life, and I'm a complete wuss when it comes to scary movies. And yet, as a children's writer, I enjoy the shock factor of writing in this genre occasionally. So what's with that?
If you, too, share a fascination for children's horror, you should check out Underneath the Juniper Tree. This free online magazine is the love child of Bree Ogden (Managing Editor) and Rebekah Joy Plett (Art Director), and specializes in supporting new artists and writers in children's horror. They "aim to promote the most creatively fantastical and darkly neurotic literature that has been much loved over the centuries and will be loved for centuries to come." I am pleased as frothy punch that Return to Sender will be included in Underneath the Juniper Tree's forthcoming Halloween issue.
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| www.skreened.com |
For more dangerous fun, check out Teach Mentor Texts, where Jen is collecting specimens for today's Poetry Friday roundup. Mwah-hah-hah!
I like your creepy poems, Michelle! Keep 'em coming :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tabatha. I'm afraid I may be alienating myself today, but I follow where the muse takes me!
DeleteI'll never think of the phrase "love you inside and out" in the same way again. And thanks for introducing us to Underneath the Juniper Tree.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I think my daughter won't either. :/ Maybe I need to start putting ratings on these posts.
DeleteOh my! A deliciously shocking poem! Perfect for Friday the 13th.
ReplyDeleteI'm like you, no horror movies for me, but I do enjoy a bit of dark humor and wickedness in children's stories now and then.
I've heard dark chocolate and red wine go well with dark humor and wickedness. ;)
DeleteWow, Michelle. I think your horror limerick is a first for me. Can't imagine what you'd do with a sestina and a few choice adjectives.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Be careful what you wish for. ;)
DeleteMom says "Ick". Glad Friday the 13th doesn't come very often :-)
ReplyDeleteOops... sorry, Mom. I'll try to remember to warn you next time.
DeleteFreakish, indeed! But a fun poem, nonetheless, Michelle. I write a lot of adult-themed poetry in addition to children's poetry because I think it helps us clean out our souls - or at least our brains - to make room for a balanced mind.
ReplyDeleteYep, that's what I'm striving for-- a squeaky clean soul and a balanced mind. One day maybe... probably not in this lifetime. At least not the balanced mind part. Thanks for stopping by today, Matt!
DeleteSuch a great one for Friday the 13th, Michelle. Limericks are hard to get just right! I don't read too many horror things anymore, but when I taught my middle schoolers I read Dracula and/or scary stories every year with groups around Halloween. They did love it! The t-shirt is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI remember reading Dracula in school too. We even took a field trip to see it on Broadway with Frank Langella-- what a treat that was!
DeleteVery clever, Michelle! I'm with you on horror, but you shouldn't miss Stephen King's On Writing.
ReplyDeleteCatherine
Yep, I actually *have* read that one. You're right, Catherine, not to be missed.
DeleteYIKES! Perfectly creepy for this Friday the 13th.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tara. I guess I have a lot to live up to come Halloween!
DeleteHi there Michelle, the fact that it's Friday the 13th totally slipped my mind - and to think that our bimonthly theme is about Monsters and Beasts! I lovelovelove this poem of yours. Very Tim Burton-esque. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Myra. I willingly admit I do have a soft spot for Tim Burton. Edward Gorey too.
DeleteOh, YUM. Just her name, Sinclaire, is a poem. This is rather YA, I think.
ReplyDeleteRather. :) Thanks for stopping by, Heidi!
DeleteDelightfully ghastly, in the best sense of the word. ;-) It's important to let all sides of our personalities out. And frankly, a balanced mind is overrated. I like you the way you are! Congrats on your poem being picked up by this e-zine!
ReplyDeleteNice to hear, Keri-- thank you.
DeleteHilarious and horrifying, Michelle! Perfect for the occasion of the Friday the 13th (as I read this on Saturday the 145h). Thanks for sharing your "dark side". And I'm glad you left my digits alone this time. =)
ReplyDeleteThank you (and your lovely digits) for this comment that made me smile. :)
DeleteTee-Hee! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteGlad I could make your tee-hee, Mary Lee!
DeleteOoh....how deliciously gruesome! I'm like you, a total wimp when it comes to horror. I read THE SHINING in high school and still can't look at hedges without shuddering. But I can read creepy poems without much trouble, and this one is delightful!
ReplyDelete(Thank you also for commenting on my "Opening Night" - we sure do have a lot in common!)
On the few occasions friends dragged me to horror movies (like The Shining) when I was younger, the cost of admission was spent with my eyes closed. "Red rum! Red rum!"
DeleteNOOOOO! (covers ears...) "Red rum..."
ReplyDeleteAnother horror film wimp here. But I did love your limerick. Great stuff!