In my daughter’s world, fraught with danger,
Sharks swim at the deep end of the community swimming pool,
Long-clawed demons roam the hallways after dusk,
Sea lions emerge from wooded trails to snatch young girls,
And deadly dinosaurs tromp across highways.
In my world, fraught with danger,
Kids crack their skulls on cement and drown in a local swimming pool,
Rapists crawl into bedroom windows and abduct dreaming children after dusk,
Cougars prowling wooded trails clamp little sun-kissed heads in their jaws ,
And deadly drunk drivers explode family cars into red metal on the highways.
Don’t worry, I promise with a half smile,
I can slay dragons.
Garth Von Buchholz is a dark fiction author, editor and publisher who lives in Victoria, BC, Canada. His recent book of poetry, Mad Shadows, was published in 2010 by Black Sun Poetry. Visit his Website at http://VonBuchholz.com to read excerpts from his poetry, fiction and drama.
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Posted on November 4, 2010 in Literary
8 Responses to “SLAYING DRAGONS • by Garth Von Buchholz”
Comments
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November 4th, 2010 at 7:39 am
Beautiful. Loved the contrast between the perceptions of child/parent. Terrific idea.
November 4th, 2010 at 7:43 am
The dangers of the daughter’s world are a double edged scimitar, but I hope she goes a lot further to escape the M.C.’S world altogether!
November 4th, 2010 at 7:52 am
Very satisfying. In the two main stanzas, each line corresponds very neatly with its equivalent in the other stanza. The dangers on wooded trails are quite similar, suggesting the child’s fantasy fears and the adult’s fears can touch ever so slightly. The closing lines are wonderfully ambiguous – the sharks in the pool are easily wished away, but the ‘dragon’ that is the drunk driver, for example, is another matter. This is the parent reassuring the child: ‘I won’t let you come to harm’ while knowing only too well that he/ she can’t guarantee it.
James.
November 4th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
A seriously sweet poem beautifully executed.
The mirroring of the childs fears with the grownup’s was done beautifully. The final line is a heart felt grabber.
A poem written from a father’s heart.
November 4th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
This is great!
November 4th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Excellent! You have portrayed the feelings of children and parents everywhere! ….. the promises, the doubts… wonderful!
November 4th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
I love it. A father can always slay any dragon. Dad is always the strongest, youngest most brave of all…
November 5th, 2010 at 1:00 am
A wonderful poem, beautifully and masterfully written.
I can totally relate to it. Love it, five stars.