The Serpent in the Flower Bed

Regret!

The Serpent in the Flower Bed

Smell the sweet petunias,

their dark purple beauty

seeping into your veins

like poison,

a dark treacle of intrigue

that becomes insanely

erotic.

The intoxication,

the dependence and tolerance

that leads to a desire for

consummate consumption

and pure addiction.

A perfume that overwhelms

and leaves you powerless

as you swallow Joyful words,

and slip into a trance

of hypnotic splendour.

There to remain

in aspic

as life unfolds

all around you

and leaves you

in the desert

without a garden.

That something so beautiful,

so royal in demeanour,

can so deceive a heart,

and leave a soul quite dead.

 

14/06/17

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Wonderful and beautiful use of words John. Always a pleasure to read your words and thoughts.
Coyote

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Coyote.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome John.

[DIVYA]

It is said the Devil always comes to us beautiful in form but deadly. So is addiction whether to a drug or to a lover as deceit often strikes when one is inebriated. The strong imagery of the purple flower akin to poison captivates the reader, its cloying erotic perfume hangs heavy throughout.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I agree that the devil is often in a different guise. many thank yous dear Divya.

[DIVYA]

You are most welcome John!

[wordman]

sounds familiar,the serpent and the poision

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ha! Of course Ron the serpent and the garden. Many thanks.

[pia]

I loved this poem !!!
Tbh at first i thought this was going to be a poem about people who were good to you turn into those who are bad for u "Smell the sweet petunias,
their dark purple beauty
seeping into your veins
like poison"
However its more than just that. Its about us as people exploring what ever intrigues us whether it has an element of danger or safety. (Just my opinion)
The words and imagery used here made this even more amazing. I loved it

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Pia

[jacob erin-cilberto]

our fascination, or weakness for intrigue...many relationships that doom us from the start...yet we are a cat with that curiosity that won't alleviate the dreams...won't show us contentment...and we never the learn the lessons...just keep walking into new, dangerous gardens.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed Jacob and those gardens have swamps at their centre. Many thanks.

[duff]

Your settings always have mysterious character to them that lure you in for a closer look. Hypnotic and enchanting imagery. You can smell everything in this. Wicked deceit posturing until it's too late. The damage done and now the pause as regret creeps in. Stunning stuff John. Great work.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Many thanks duff.

[duff]

You bet John.