The Axe is Blood Red by pattimast

The Axe is Blood Red

The axe is blood red, by the worn churchyard door,
And there's a dark moisture where it's usually dry:
The pigeons are quiet now and no longer cooing;
For the ones who survived must fly higher than high.

So fly away Peter, fly away Paul;
Don't be found hanging round the churchyard no more.

The children are weeping and rubbing their eyes
As the feather's go tumbling, unanchored and free;
Bloody clumps clinging, to bush and to vine,
And a small pile of birds at the foot of a tree.

So fly away Peter, fly away Paul;
Don't be found hanging round the churchyard no more.

The attacks were unwarranted; murderous rage:
Something gone awry, in the caretaker's mind;
So he pulled out his coat sleeve the long skinny blade,
Putting to rout all the birds and their kind.

So fly away Peter, fly away Paul;
Don't be found hanging round the churchyard no more

Now the children have nightmares, which rouse them from sleep,
But it's too late to save their young eyes from the sight;
And the mute beaks are opening up toward the sky,
While they beat bloodied feathers through long endless nights.

So fly away Peter, fly away Paul;
Don't be found hanging round the churchyard no more.

Published December 16, 2009 Write a comment
To write comments please login or join.
Add this poem to your "I recommend you to read" list? Confirm
user image
Fay Slimm
Strong dark images - - poetry in black mood and telling it's own tale if we take time to listen. shall remember the nursery rhyme with more intensity now, - -great piece.
user image
Pendemic
This as a hint of an old nursery rhyme I used to sing as a kid, but you put a "Stephen King" twist to it. Very dark and disturbing, but enjoyable to read.
user image
Peter Williams
A perfect poetic blend!
user image
Mike
Wow... another "instant classic" I truly love this...
Want to delete this comment?   Confirm or Close