The Girl with the Blackberry Eyes

So, there you stand, with your yawn-colored slickers,

expecting your life to be more

Mint flavored fantasies sprinkled with stickers

and so much now waiting in store

 

Someone is longing your destined arrival,

desires held loose in her hand

All that you need to affect your survival,

I promise, she will understand

 

While vacuous days of a clouded expanse

and fields lowly rutted with fear

Show footprints of mud in a circular dance,

a garden now beckons you near

 

A wood picket fence and a hedge overgrown,

beyond an old gate bearing rust

That cringes and creaks near the wicked weeds sown,

about southern winds once were thrust

 

Where vines cling an arbor in strangling grip,

like worms, slither round neath your feet

So proud of their thorns and the flesh they do rip,

while souring fruits ever sweet

 

Beware of this realm where the petals now bleed,

with faces apart from the norm

On barbed wire stems of a nevermore seed,

now cast of an unending storm

 

For here waits a child with a part in her hair

and roots tethered deep to the ground

A bouquet of pain offered up, if you dare,

in silence she speaks without sound

 

So, follow this path of a nightmarish dream,

where nothing that lives ever dies

But hold tight your tongue for she hates when you scream,

the girl with the blackberry eyes

 

Reviews

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

The picture draws me in immediately and reminds me of Scott Radke's incredible artwork. Someone must have painted this in homage to his work. In fact, I'm sure of it. I would know his work anywhere.

Took the liberty to find this for you:

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JxQNVt70mBc/Vk-gq0ZqRqI/AAAAAAAAF4I/CBKuynITkwo/s1600/02_Scott_Radke_Witch_BetweenMirrors.jpg

Okay ... back to the poem ...

This one is quite different from you. Normally, your work is like sunshine, all positive and light, bright like rays of the sun. This one is like shadow. Underneath, however, I sense the light. This one is a passage to promise, of brighter days to come. Well done.

[willweb]

I see what you mean, thanks for the link. I went to his website, he is very unique and I love his style. It seems though everything he had listed on his website is sold out...now I will have to find a piece of his to buy somewhere. Have you been a fan of his long?

Thank you for the comment, yes, a little darker than normal but just something that came to me. Thank you again for reading and leaving such nice thoughts for me.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

OMG! I have loved his work forever? Like you, all things seem to sell out pretty quickly. It's so frustrating because there are several pieces that I would definitely buy. His artwork is so unique. I love it.

[willweb]

How did you come across him? I know it is not the same but when you get a chance google The Thieving Magpie and check out this guys furniture. See if that is something you like as well.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I came across his work some years ago on YouTube. He actually did a hand/eye necklace that reminded me of the movie, "Pan's Labyrinth." I have followed him ever since. I looked up the Thieving Magpie Furniture, and it's a no for me. The work is a little too wonky for my OCD tastes. I love the perfection of symmetry, and this is a bit too much for me. I can appreciate the art though.

[willweb]

Understood. I found it very unique and I guess that is little glance into my taste. : ) I guess wonky is my thing. : )

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Nothing wrong with that.

[Sami Khalil]

I thought I was reading Edgar Allen Poe. He is alive and well in your words. This is unique and different. I liked it all sir WillWeb. Image is good too.

[willweb]

Thanks Sami. Edgar Allen Poe, that is definitely a compliment as I am a huge fan.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You are welcome. Me too sir.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Will, this is fabulous. Let me say that again, FAB-U-LOUS! Wow, isn't it funny how we never know of our own potential?

Much applause, Will!

[willweb]

Thanks so much Kelly. I appreciate it. Yes, it is funny and it is hard to see when so many super talented people are around every day. It's nice to think, "Hey, I'm pretty good" and then I come on here and read you and others and then I think...well, maybe not so much.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Never doubt yourself, Will. I could never write like you have done here. It's inside of you to do what you do, you just need to believe in yourself!

[willweb]

Thank you, that means a lot.

[Re-Pete]

wow. so well told. a haunting tale. love the deep, dark, intricate, telling imagery. a soulful write albeit a touch disturbing. my favorite of your's by far. well done. top notch stuff, the whole presentation - bravo ... :)

[willweb]

Thanks my friend. I am thrilled you stopped by for a little blackberry fright.

[Dave Brown]

This is destined to become a classic
I can't create words meaningful enough to express what a wonderful piece of work you have done here
dark, delicious and delightful

[willweb]

Thanks so much Dave. This means a lot coming from a talented and creative poet like yourself.

[Dave Brown]

L O L

[Soren]

Will this another of your wonderful poetic descriptions of what is real and metaphorical. The image is so vivid and I loved the line "on bared wire stems of a nevermore seed, now cast of an unending storm" More than just what it depicts, I see the description of what sweet fruit costs us to obtain. It is a price sometimes worth it and sometimes not. A great write my friend.

[willweb]

Thank you Soren. You always make me feel like what I write and share was totally worth it. Sometimes I do question my ability and if people enjoy my work or not, so thank you for your support.

[AYVID N]

Dear Willweb,

This was such a lovely, dark fantasy to read. The chosen artwork perfectly complements your words. The rhyme and meter are wonderful too...Enjoyed absolutely.

[willweb]

Thank you so much my friend. I am glad you stopped by for a little darkness. : ) I an happy you did Divya

[AYVID N]

It was my pleasure, dear Willweb.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I agree with Lorry...Tim Burton would make a movie of this poem.
Lots of poets use similar backgrounds, or foregrounds for their poetry...
the gardens, nature etc. but you do it differently---Your creatures, plantlife whatever it is
has such excellent human characteristics...it is a joy to read your work...and have it nearly jump off the page.

[willweb]

Thanks so very much Jacob for all of the kindness you show to me on this site. I work hard on my poems, I am happy someone appreciates them.

[Lorry]

I think Tim Burton would approve of this and perhaps would want to animate her into life.
Great flow and metre that just rolls of the tongue.

[willweb]

Thanks my friend. I truly do appreciate you taking the time to read pretty much anything I post. It does not go unnoticed.

[Lorry]

You're Weclome... Welcome. Flippin predunctive toast!!! I mean predictive text 🙄

[Chris Shaw]

I will always remember the girl with the blackberry eyes. Fabulous writing will. So descriptive. What a thought. Where nothing that lives ever dies. Your stanzas flow beautifully and I enjoyed this narrative very much. Well done. Posted artwork is perfect for this piece.

Chris

[willweb]

Thank you Chris. It means a lot when you stop by my poetry. I appreciate your time and your support.