The Moon Child and the Fairies - a poem by Chris Zachariou

moon child

the moon child beats a tune
on her shiny skinless drum
she beats a tune without a beat
on her drum without a skin

and the fairies lure
the moon child to the forest
with red berries

‘don't eat the berries’
cries her father
don't eat the berries’
begs her mother

red juices running down
on her tongue and pouting lips

red juices stain her gown
red juices on her pale pristine gown
from her toes up to her neck

red, red, red,
there are stains on her gown
and the child and the fairies
they dance till three a.m.

'If I tell you a real secret
will you keep it from your mama?'
the wicked witch whispers
softly to the curious child

'but be careful if you do
vicious crows will peck your eyes'

rampant vipers chase the child
all the way onto the altar
the red stains on her gown
driving the serpents wild

and a goblin gives the moon child
twelve doughnuts soaked in honey

'don't eat the doughnuts'
cries her father
'don't eat the doughnuts'
begs her mother

honey oozes from her mouth
crumbs and sugar on her lips

red paint stains the ark
red paint fills the rivers
red paint drowns the dove

the moon child beats a tune
on her shiny skinless drum
she beats a tune without a beat
on her drum without a skin

and the child and the witch
the serpents and the goblin
they dance till three a.m.

then they drag her
down the staircase
red stains on her shroud
crumbs and sugar on her lips