Doomsday Nursery Rhyme

In the mildewed eye of laughter,

Rotten apples soften.

Crows pick at the bone disasters

Sleeping in black coffins.

Computers spit out prophecy

Of destruction and doom,

While endless soldier prodigies

March down into mass tombs.

 

And the thunder rumbles! Rumbles!

Buildings crumble, clatter and burn.

As the bodies tumble! Tumble!

Nowhere to hide; nowhere to turn.

 

Children cower in the caverns,

Small heads tucked between knees.

Fire orchids paint hot patterns

That guzzle moonlit trees.

Mommy prays for Heaven’s mercies,

Daddy loads his shotgun.

Pins and needles, right foot hurts me

I’m glad I’ve still got one.

 

And the thunder rumbles! Rumbles!

Buildings crumble, clatter and burn.

As the bodies tumble! Tumble!

Nowhere to hide; nowhere to turn.

 

We cry out, but God won’t answer.

Nothing rests; nothing heals.

Alchemists and necromancers:

Raise the dead! Shape the steel.

But magic words are wasted breath;

Fiddle fie! Fairytales.  

No cure for life; no cure for death.

Heavens fall; Hell prevails.

 

And the thunder rumbles! Rumbles!

Buildings crumble, clatter and burn.

As the bodies tumble! Tumble!

Nowhere to hide; nowhere to turn.

 

Repent and hope someone hears it,

Lay dried up flowers on the grave

Of the conquered human spirit,

But never mourn the mindless knave.

Reviews

[Kerry O'Connor]

This reads like 17th Century poetry, but with the modern terminology it has a more vibrant kick. The refrain becomes more ominous with each repetition - I hear the echo of kettle drums.

Fave lines:

Fire orchids paint hot patterns
That guzzle moonlit trees.

[MissWordSmith]

But magic words are wasted breath;
Fiddle fie! Fairytales.

As always, so original and SO SO SO imaginative, and creative.
Your imagination is so... free. you unleash it on the page.. or screen :P
I loved this! It was enticing and sarcastic and serious all at once.
Great work!

[Ruth]

This is amazing! Truly awe inspiring choice of metaphor in this!
Brilliant!
Speechless! lol
xx

[Jūdan FyreHeart]

This has a great rhythm and beat about it, the words cascade down with ease following on one from the other. A dark, ominous feel about the meanings behind the images, raging war kept a little lighter with the springy steps.

[roarke]

Very interesting. Great tone, the first stanza and refrain are killer. the second half of the second stanza loses me a bit. It becomes too specific and I want to follow the mommy/daddy and I, story but then we go back to painting a general picture. Not sure why.
Not to fear, the last stanza really brings it home. Nice color, rhythm and rhyme. A creative piece to be sure.