Tuesday, September 03, 2013

SCORN #3

She is gowned in razors, and the blood on her hands is not her own. I have no weapons to match hers. So I study her cautiously, from far away. I conceal my scent with wormwood. I bind my belongings to my flesh so that no stray sound alerts her to my presence. It would not do to let the predator know that you are stalking it. Such a revelation would be prelude to a fatal nocturne.

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26 comments:

Cloudia said...

BINGO! Perfect in my eyes!


Aloha

Erik Donald France said...

T'would be fatal, indeed. Scarier than a Medusa with razor-wire hair. . .

Vesper said...

What a scene! Perfect...

She is gowned in razors - wow, what an image! Reminds me a little of the paperback cover of Hyperion by Dan Simmons...

Travis Cody said...

So much to like in such a small space.

ivan said...

Oh, it' just me. Master of "beside-the-point."

Since university, I've often been distracted by ephemeral information while trying to look up something else.

Googling,sort of, for an armored mythical creature, I came across a real one out of Africa a Pangolin.

"Pangolins can also emit a noxious-smelling acid from glands near the anus, similar to the spray of a skunk."

I'd say, watch out.

Charles Gramlich said...

Cloudia, thankee. Glad you enjoyed.

Erik, Medusa would be a sweetheart compared to this one.

Vesper, I remember seeing that cover of Hyperion way back when. I've not actually read the book but I think I actually have a copy buried in boxes somewhere in my closet.

Travis Cody, thanks, man.

Ivan, Pangolins are pretty cool creatures. I'd like to have one as a pet. :)

Riot Kitty said...

You say so much in a few words. Bravo!

Greg said...

nice! great word choice.

Ty said...

Getting darker there, Charles. Nothing wrong with that.

Charles Gramlich said...

Riot Kitty, thanks very much. I really appreciate that. I try.

Greg, appreciate it, man.

Ty, been in a fairly dark mood lately. No particular reason, just winter coming I guess

Prashant C. Trikannad said...

A razor-clothed female predator? I think she has spotted him and he doesn't know it yet — dark and scary, Charles.

David Cranmer said...

You're one helluva descriptive son-of-a-gun, Charles. I could have you at BEAT to a PULP every week.

Charles Gramlich said...

Prashant, I think she has too. She's only letting him think he might still be hidden.

David, thanks, man. :)

pattinase (abbott) said...

It seems that you don't use contractions in this sort of writing. Am I right?

Charles Gramlich said...

Patti, I generally don't. I guess in a way this kind of language, to me, seems to need a sort of gravitas, and contractions often diminish that.

Richard Prosch said...

Gowned in razors is almost a corollary to "razored zen" -- soft, tranquil, but the surprising edge. An underlying theme to your work?

Charles Gramlich said...

Richard, I must admit to having a fondness for the word razor. I've used it quite often in fiction and poetry.

Deka Black said...

Scary!

Charles Gramlich said...

Deka, then that is cool!

sage said...

that's pretty intense! I think I'll go back to rabbit hunting :)

BernardL said...

A striking paragraph, with elements that stir the imagination.

Charles Gramlich said...

Sage, probably safer for sure.

Bernard, thank you, man.

Oscar Case said...

"Prelude to a fatal nocturne" for sure.

laughingwolf said...

love the nuances; look forward to the full tale....

Charles Gramlich said...

Oscar, I rewrote the last two lines of this since.

Laughingwolf, thanks, man. What is going on with you? I don't see many posts from your direction anymore?

jodi said...

Watch your beard, Charles-she's got a gown of razors!