I never did like people with red hair;
at school, it was not long before I met
one so afflicted with this colourful
attribute, that she glowed like a candle,
burned the skin of any who came near,
with words of ridicule, or unkindness.
From that day, I catalogued the colour
as one to be avoided at all costs.
When I cried, my Mother would comfort me,
tell me to ignore the flying insults
or teasing words of Mary Pond. Her name
follows me to this day, while my Mother's
dark, auburn hair has long since dimmed and died
and all but faded from my memory.
Before my first baby was born, I prayed
“Please, let it be well – and not be ginger!”
I got my answer. She had long, black hair;
but in three days, it turned to bright copper...
Love laughed loud.“So much for old prejudice.”
IGWRT's challenge today got me writing. After fourteen lines, the flow of thought was interrupted, before I added another five. Now, I'm not sure whether I should have stopped at fourteen? Does it feel complete to you too, at that point? I wonder...
I live with a ginger. If you leave it at 14 lines you're just demonstrating prejudice. You need the last five lines for fairness.
ReplyDeleteNice one - my friend.
ReplyDeleteHa. I think the 14 lines are terrific. Lovely tale! k.
ReplyDeleteEvery now and then one of our prejudices stands up to slap us in the face!
ReplyDeleteAt one point red hair on heroines in romance novels was a fad. It was in half the books I read. That's the only time I've disliked red heads. it just seemed unnatural to have to many around. So I very carefully made well over half the heroines I wrote about brunette.
ReplyDeleteVery good -- red hair on women is my favorite! Never met a nasty one -- but then, I've not much experience.
ReplyDeleteI love having my prejudices overturned.
Great poem! I especially liked the following line very much "From that day, I catalogued the colour as one to be avoided at all costs," - showing such a strong hatred for the character. The 14 lines sounds perfect to me.
ReplyDelete