Copyright: Mary Shipman
He holds his breath for fear of death Should they settle for old-man stew Wretched days ahead of them Wait behind the door Of the house of Wanda Thibodeaux Their mother’s sister, the whore
It’s summer rerun week on Friday Fictioneers, but since I wasn’t contributing when this prompt was originally used, this is a new offering from me. It seems that the photo provided by Mary Shipman has prompted some creepy stories. Check them out here.
Ads below this post are NOT endorsed by HonieBriggs.com. This work of fiction is NOT in any way suggesting that any real person named Wanda Thibodeaux is a whore.
Honie Briggs 
Dear Honie, Great poem! You are so smart! Nan 🙂
Nan, your comment made me smile.
Splendid, Honie!
Thanks, Amy!
Honie, Great poem with dark humor. There’s not going to be much improvement in the girl’s lives. I don’t know which is worse, a whore or a witch. I guess there are good sides and bad to both of them. Well written. 🙂 —Susan
You’re right. I don’t feel too sorry for them though, I think they might have killed their mother. It may be Wanda who is in for a surprise. Ha! Dark humor, I didn’t think of that.
Old man stew That line made me laugh. A great story with rhythm.
Good. I’m glad to hear it.
Good old Aunt Wanda. I think she made it up to Arkansas for a while, right after Katrina.
Aunt Wanda gets around, doesn’t she?
I enjoyed the poem, and loved the title. I always struggle with titles but this was one that made me want to read on (which is, after all, what titles should do!). Thanks 🙂
I keep a running list of titles as they pop into my head. They are kind of like lost socks, it’s always a surprise when I find its mate. Thanks for commenting.
Dear Honie,
Something sad, creepy and poignant all rolled into one poem. Nicely done.
shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle,
It almost makes you feel sorry for the poor things, doesn’t it? Maybe not too sorry. Thanks Rochelle, for taking the time to read and comment during your hiatus.
With Much Appreciation,
Honie
Oh my gosh! This was great!
Ellespeth
😉
Great job! The poem has a nice flow. You should put this to music for Halloween.
That’s a thought. Thanks for commenting.
Its beautiful, In a good-eerie way
beautifully eerie, I like that. Thanks!
Honie, this is excellent.
I’m pleased you enjoyed it, Val.
Honie, this is wonderful! I started last September, so these are all new for me, and yes the old wall paper does seem to elicit “creepy.” This poem, however, is so original and clever! I was so sure it was based on some real-life story, that I Googled Wanda Thibodeaux, only to find a whole bunch of benign looking ladies, who have nothing to do with your wild and wooly tale! Great job! Hope your move went well and you’re settling in for a hot TX summer? I’m playing perpetual catch up, and I’m sure I missed your update, but wishing you well in your new place. 🙂
Hey Dawn. Thanks! Yes, I did the same thing, Googled the name and found those same ladies. Hence the disclaimer should someone become inflamed about their name being connected to a fictional whore. It happens.
The move. There are still pictures to be hung and more settling in to do, but it is beginning to feel like home. The back patio is now screened. So, until blinking begins to cause spontaneous combustion, which happens at some point every summer, we will be enjoying the great outdoors in mosquito free comfort.
Wonderful! So glad you’re settled in and enjoying your new home. Here’s to a mosquito free (we don’t have them!) and lovely summer.
Wonderful, wonderful poem! Loved everything about it.
I’m so glad. Thanks for reading & commenting.
I’m impressed as Hell. It’s tough enough to drop 100 words of prose. Poetry is like Swahili to me.
Well, that’s a very nice compliment you’ve given me. This one really did begin as prose, and for some reason the rhythm of it became all Swahili like and fell right into place.
Wretched days… Love this.
Poor little witches don’t know their troubles are about to double.
You have a very good way with words
They’re in a jumble on the floor of my brain. This is what happens if I take the time to pick them up and put them where they belong.
Creepy indeed. Loved it!
Creepy is as close to the horror genre I can get. Enjoying your hiatus?
Yes, thank you. Are you settled after your move now?
Yes, it’s beginning to feel like home.
Yay!
I read this as if it was a song. I loved the creativity and imagery of this so much!
You might also enjoy The Clergy Curse.
Thank you so much I will check it out. 🙂
I was hooked by those cackles… yes that was a great and eerie poem… love the rhymes
Cackles will do that to a person.
But Wanda IS a whore! Trust me, I know. Twenty bucks later, I know…
Love this, btw. Very clever!
Twenty bucks!