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Poetry
by Chris Zachariou
United Kingdom


Τάκης Ζαχαρίου

Ποιήματα

Γιαλούσα, Κύπρος

The Moon Child and the Fairies | A Coming-of-Age Poem


the moon down beats a beat

on her shiny skinless drum

she beats a tune with without a beat

on her drum without a skin


and the fairies lure

a 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

running down 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 well past midnight


'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 doves


the moon down beats a beat

on her shiny skinless drum

she beats a tune with without a beat

on her drum without a skin


and the child and the witch

the serpents and the goblins

they dance till well past midnight


then they drag her

down the staircase

red stains on her shroud

crumbs and sugar on her lips 


A few words about the poem…


A coming-of-age poem: Choices and Consequences in the Realm of Fantasy

In this evocative coming-of-age poem, moonbeams gracefully traverse ethereal landscapes, illuminating a mesmerizing journey—a disturbing tale of a young girl's sexual awakening. It invites us to wander through moonlit woods, where anticipation hangs in the air, and mystical creatures lurk, their presence both captivating and tinged with unease.


Within whispered secrets, malevolent fairies hover, their intentions veiled in mischief. They tempt our young protagonist with forbidden crimson berries, enticing symbols of desire that dangle before her innocent gaze. Yet, as she ventures deeper into the nocturnal woods, the enigmatic presence of a wicked witch casts an alluring but cryptic spell upon her path.


This poetic odyssey of innocence and awakening intertwines desires and destinies. It is part of a compelling series of poems exploring the choices we make in life and their enduring consequences. Guided by the radiant moon, our young heroine navigates each twist and turn, serving as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between curiosity, longing, and the weight of our actions.


The reader is invited to witness the dance between innocence and experience, and the evoking of a symphony of emotions. Through the poem’s lens, the moon becomes a metaphorical beacon, illuminating the labyrinthine paths we traverse in our existence. It is a tale that resonates with the timeless human condition, where desire and destiny entwine.


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