Take Care
Witch: “Careful the tale you tell.
That is the spell.
Children will listen.”
Finale, Into the Woods, Stephen Sondheim
Like beanstalks, lies sprout overnight
rising high enough to support giants, as the world withers
below
a field of moon-daisies grows,
with seeds cast like spells
to reflect light,
the glimmer-truth of stars,
birdsong carried and bee-buzzed
child-seen before
they learn. Careful,
they listen.
A quadrille for dVerse. The prompt word is spell. My head is full of lies and stories. Some of the same . . . I watched the January 6 Committee hearings today—more revelations about the former president’s lies.
We saw Into the Woods at the Arden Theatre in Philadelphia on Saturday. Coincidentally. Bernadette Peters sang “Children Will Listen” last night at the Tony Awards in a segment honoring the late Stephen Sondheim.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
This is incredibly poignant and timely, Merril! I especially like; “daisies grows, with seeds cast like spells to reflect light.” Thank you so much for writing to the prompt! ❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Sanaa! Thank you for the prompt! 💙
Yes, they do. I admire the surreal images:
a field of moon-daisies grows,
with seeds cast like spells
to reflect light
Thank you so much, Grace!
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Thank you, Michael!
A great poem to remind us all. Brought to mind the song: “Teach Your Children Well”
People think its guns causing our problems… I contend it is parents and what they let their children feed on! Violence in violence out…. seems to make sense.
Thank you so much, Dwight. Yes, that song fits, too.
There are parents who are ignorant, careless, or bad, and there are people in power who promote hate–but the easy availability of guns here is definitely an issue. Other countries have bad parents, hate, mental illness, etc., but don’t have the gun violence we have.
I agree we do need more restrictions and background checks in getting guns.
We must do better for our children, I feel! You brought the magic in this one! 👏👏🤩
Thank you so much, Tricia!
💓
I do agree with all. You outdid yourself with this one. It is best use of 44 words I have seen in years, great wordsmithing. The first stanza is killer.
Wow, Glenn! Sorry for the last response. I’m overwhelmed by your generous comment. Thank you so very much! 💙
Oh man… I agree with Glenn! You outdid yourself mightily, Merril. I am spellbound.
Thank you so much, Dale! 💙😊
🙂 💕
A potage of thoughts…cut and chopped together…there’s another word, I forgot it…..collage maybe…
Thanks, Ain. 😊
Teach the children well. They do spring up like overnight wonders. Nice one!!!
Thanks for dropping by my blog today Merril
Much❤love
Thanks so much, Gillena. 💙
You are so right about taking care, that children are listening. I don’t believe that children are born hating other people. They learn to hate from adults.
Thank you, Liz. I agree. 💙
You’re welcome, Merril.
Lovely piece, yes they are always listening, and they grok a lot more than they get credit for. Loved it.
Thank you very much. 😊
Love your highlighting of all these negative elements around us, Merril! One gets overwhelmed by them all! What an environment for our young growing up!
Hank
Yes, indeed, Hank. Thank you.
A beautifully written truth.
“Like beanstalks, lies sprout overnight
rising high enough to support giants, as the world withers
below”
You wove an essential message with great craft.
Thank you so much, Ali. That’s a lovely comment.
Your words also make me think of the song from South Pacific “You’ve Got to Be Taught”. The seeds of lies are like an invasive species choking the truth until it dies. (K)
Oh, yes. That is such a poignant song, and it was controversial at the time.
Probably still so in many circles…
That last bit is such a reminder of how things are learned, truth and lies and behaviors. It’s tough as a fiction writer, I find the line between truth and lies line blurry. The stars seem fuzzy not sure of anything, but I know my children need that strict sort of understanding to process the world.
Thank you very much. My children (now grown) and I have very active imaginations. I think we all understand that is different from deliberate lies.
Lies are a huge part of our lives, and yet so rarely talked about until now. I am dealing with them on a personal level, too.
Lies are a big part of current public discourse–but they have been talked about throughout history. At the same time, we know things are covered up for ages. I’m sorry you’re dealing with lies on a personal level.
Thank you.
You’re welcome.
Nicely linked sources and fine composition
Thank you, Derrick.
“Like beanstalks, lies sprout overnight” – I love this line. Such a great opening
Thank you so much! 😊
LOVE this poem….and as I read it, each thing in your explanation came to mind so I smiled when I read your explanation as that was exactly where I was with your words. 🙂
Thank you so much, Lillian! Great minds. 😊
I think you would have enjoyed this production, too.
I love your mystical spell Merril. I imagine you reading it to young children around a campfire ☺️
Interesting, Christine. Thank you!
Fascinating to read how life comes together to feed the muse. I love your poem of caution and warning, Merril.
Thank you so much! Yes, it’s funny, I didn’t realize notice the word “spell” in the lyrics before.
You conjured the magic from the world around you, Merril. I love how reality collides with the truth. ❤
And perhaps, it’s for the children that all the lies must be dissected and documented. Well done, Merril!
Thank you very much, Marie! Yes, perhaps so.
“Careful,/they listen.” so ominous and telling. Oh you have done wonders here. So much said – and unsaid- with so little! Kudos.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Raivenne!
Lovely, Merrill.
Thank you, Xan.
Children pick up SO MUCH when their parents think they don’t listen. Understand. Lies are poison to children and adults alike. Ahhh, what a poetic reminder this is. And Bernadette Peters – I’ve seen her in person in several shows – she’s beyond talented. A star. Magical.
Thank you, Pam!
She really is a star.
Your poem is perfect, Merril.
It’s perfect to me because:
I enjoy it when I read it.
I feel a/the deeper meaning.
I like the prompt.
I like the quote.
I’m watching the hearings, too. (Should I cry, or vomit?)
Thank you, Resa.
It’s hard to know what to do, but at least it’s on record.
What an opening line, Merril, and you raised a very pertinent point. 💙
Thank you so much, Punam! 💙
Magnifique
Thank you.