FLASH FICTION:-- HORROR, SCI-FI, HUMOUR, CRIME, SLICE OF LIFE, ETC.

Friday, 10 January 2014

Harringbow


Harringbow came with his band
And laid waste to the demon's land
Put to the blade his kith and kin
Burnt and slaughtered all within
Then eastwards travelled on his way
Happy with his deeds that day
The demon returned from darkest doings
Saw his home in flames and ruins
Then set off in a fitful rage
Harringbow's band to engage
Whomever he did chance upon
When asked for answers, they had none
He ripped them screaming limb from limb
For secrets that they kept from him
Someone must tell, someone must know
The whereabouts of Harringbow
And forward on, he searched still more
He tore his way, with tooth and claw
The whole night long, through man and beast
'Til sunrise came upon the east
Then looking back to whence he'd came
Saw none still standing, shrugged the blame
For all the slick grass in the field
Oiled by those who didn't yield
He turned his back, continued on
Ever eastwards, sparing none
'Til all around the world he'd been
And nought but slaughter had he seen
No sight in any when or where
Of Harringbow, not hide nor hair
From the west returning to his land
Full circle, searching for the band
A second time he trod the path
Created by his awesome wrath
And still a third time, and a fourth
And then he turned his fury north
He cleft his way from pole to pole
And of mankind he took his toll
But Harringbow, unto this day
Has never crossed upon his way.


©2014 Stephen. J. Green.
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23 comments:

  1. Helen A. Howell10 January 2014 at 02:43

    Sounds like Harringbow is in hiding ^_^ Loved it Steve!

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    1. Steve Green10 January 2014 at 22:41

      Thanks Helen. I think Harringbow is in for a "Good hiding" if that demon ever catches up with him. Heheh!!

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  2. Unknown10 January 2014 at 09:56

    I really liked this poem, it's got a nice rhythm to it. The demon reminds me of a web comic calle 'Looking For group', and a fan made song called 'Slaughter your world' ... http://youtu.be/fcbazH6aE2g (not suitable for children)

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    1. Steve Green10 January 2014 at 22:45

      Thanks L. The video on the link is absolutely hilarious. I wrote this poem with my tongue firmly in my cheek. I'm not sure if I hit the mark, but I was aiming for dark humour, and so the link fits in very well, thanks for the chuckles. :-)

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  3. Deanna Schrayer10 January 2014 at 16:40

    The emotion in this comes through loud and clear Steve, very well done!

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    1. Steve Green10 January 2014 at 22:51

      Thanks Deanna, I don't do much poetry, and it's very heartening when it is well received on the occasions that I do. :-)

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  4. Stephen10 January 2014 at 21:43

    Memo to self: Never piss off a demon. It will cost everyone everything.

    Well done, Steve. You have a gift for the rhyme, and the story you told was classic.

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    1. Steve Green10 January 2014 at 22:55

      Thanks Stephen. I too will definitely take note of that memo too, I suspect that I cannot move as fast, or as elusively as Harringbow. :-)

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    2. John Wiswell11 January 2014 at 01:09

      I thought the same thing! Even as someone who can't grasp or scan nearly any poetry, I'd do my best to dodge demons after this.

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  5. Sonia Lal10 January 2014 at 21:56

    Maybe Harringbow is under the earth, instead of on top of it!

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    1. Steve Green10 January 2014 at 22:58

      Hiya Sonia. The way this demon is going through the population, Harringbow may soon be the ONLY person that isn't under the earth. (Heheh!!)

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  6. Cat Russell10 January 2014 at 22:45

    So he killed the DEMON'S kith and kin? I'd be pissed too!

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    1. Steve Green10 January 2014 at 22:59

      Hi Catherine, This is definitely one Royally pissed off demon. :-)

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  7. Tim VanSant Writes11 January 2014 at 17:09

    Though not your usual fair,
    Nicely done in rhyming pairs!

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    1. Steve Green11 January 2014 at 19:10

      Why Tim, thank you very kindly,
      For the words you left behindly.

      (Tennyson eat your heart out. LOL)

      Thanks Tim. :-)

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  8. Shelli Proffitt Howells11 January 2014 at 18:17

    Oh, that Harringbow. Always one step ahead, isn't he? Nicely done within the constraints of rhyme.

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    1. Steve Green11 January 2014 at 19:14

      Thank you Shelli, I think Harringbow is more elusive than the Scarlet Pimpernel and Lord Lucan put together. :-)

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  9. Estrella Azul12 January 2014 at 16:25

    Such great rhythm here, a really fun read packed with so much action. Well done, Harringbow, well done!

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    1. Steve Green12 January 2014 at 22:23

      Thank you for the very kind words Estrella, I'm glad that you enjoyed it. :-)

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  10. Katherine Hajer13 January 2014 at 03:21

    Impressive form! Intriguing story, too. Someone needs to write an essay about this: "Harringbow -- Hero or Jerk?". Why raze a demon's home if he's just going to take it out on the world forever more?

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    1. Steve Green13 January 2014 at 12:33

      Thanks Katherine. :-)
      I reckon Harringbow didn't think this the whole way through, or maybe the demon was just a bit more vengeful than he expected.

      I have heard it said "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
      Heaven help us from the good intentions of others, eh? :-)

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  11. Icy Sedgwick13 January 2014 at 13:30

    Very lyrical work!

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