with arms like rattlesnakes
she captivates and snares in
ambrosia-enchanting melodies
of icicles and grave-lights lit
as his syringe siren’s singing
just for him
the stars above are sunlit dust
falling leisurely
as all his wishes die
to unknown constellations
heavy like an anvil on his chest
as his syringe siren’s singing
just for him

Ligeia Siren by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Today it’s our monthly dVerse Open Link night with Marina Sofia hosting. Pub opens at noon EST. Join us.
—
September 27, 2014
You have revisited the myth of the siren in a very dark way. Ulysses’ sirens were frightening. The syringe in your poem is simply terrifying, as I suppose it should be.
Bjorn, Best not to get caught by her. She sounds extremely dangerous. Well written and good sketch to go with it. 🙂 —Susan
cool use of the repetition in each stanza and the allit of the ssssss almost like a hiss….def sounds like one you want to avoid before she snuffs out all your dreams…
Terrifying indeed, scary, run, run, run. Sirens, not a myth after all.
She sounds truly evil, the stuff of nightmare…..the mention of the syringe the most frightening of all.
wow that is simply stunning, very image provoking words x
as all his wishes die
to unknown constellations…. ugh…so tough to have someone like her around that robs you of all life
sirens are an interesting bunch…is it there songs and the words they spill what entrances or is their something in their voice? a thousand men could be listening and each one could believe she sings just for him…hmm…
an intriguing and enjoyable read.
The siren singing is fatal and if he falls into her charms, all his wishes will die to unknown constellations ~ Happy Saturday Bjorn ~
i love a strong women who retains her siren..and i can just watch without touching and still remain free….
Love the photo and love the words..and i love all of mythology and truth one and same..:)
Very strong vibes of the siren anyone can be enchanted
I was reading this all mythological and full of the image of Odysseas – and then I read the ‘syringe siren’ and the whole poem became very contemporary and disturbing. Wow, you did lead me up the alley, Bjorn!
Drugs! Terrible (and stupid) way to die.
Syringe siren’s singing just for him is very powerful, Bjorn. I get the feeling of slowly loosing himself, succumbing to the song likean anaesthetic or a drug. Short but very powerful!
Really a powerful pull toward the siren’s call–
It is autumn’s witch disguised as a danse macabre. The soul resents what the body desires. The curse is on him and poetically said!
You & Brian, brother, both found a dark place to write from; a terrific mix of myth and chaos here, as the syringe trumps all the light, replacing it with false light, false stars, & perhaps as a succubus, ssshe
will suck out his life, snacking on the soul for dessert; heavy, man.
Wow! Dark yes, but brilliant. Cheers!
Wow…’grave-lights lit / as his syringe siren’s singing…’ – superb imagery.
As someone who is familiar with this territory, I took this to be a knowing piece that describes of the lure of hard drugs – the linkage back to mythological sirens here is a very fresh take and entirely appropriate – very interesting and keenly felt too…
I love the alliteration in this, the way the words roll off the tongue when read out loud. And so it seems the Siren’s “call” has captured him. Unique perspective, very clever take on the draw of drug addiction.
He should know better, I suppose, but it must be hard to resist that siringe. Sadly.
Good write as always Bjorn.
oof, yes, you use her image as the draw that cannot be resisted, very effective and powerful, and so, so sad.
loved the language in this… gentle tones upon beauty
Such darkness.. What if she is not a human or a bewitching addiction? What if she is something more? Death maybe? The syringe? Perhaps the syringe is symbolic of something else? His saving grace? Yet something he’s equally afraid of, but it’s the only thing that can truly stop her? Sometimes we reach for what we think it is that will make us happy when really that dream is something we can’t always trust but then we have no other choice.
Clever writing, Bjorn (though I think captives should be captures) but I wouldn’t want to meet your siren. I’ve seen enough of syringes lately to last a lifetime! Rattlesnake arms would have me calling for help!
Well noted Viv.. But I think I meant captivates 😉
Whatever ‘your’ siren their call can drown out anything else in your head and your world..not always for the best..
The notion of the ‘syringe siren’ does conjure up some very dark images Bjorn, something to think and ponder on.
Sad and powerful.
Bjorn, you have well captured the idea of HELL on earth. Very powerful and fills me with sadness. Excellent and dreadful!
‘syring sirens’ is such a vivid image, Bjorn ~
Love the imagery, Bjorn … the arms as snakes and the stars as sunlight dust. Intriguing poem!
A regular Delilah…a strong and wicked image in words you have given. Always a pleasure, Bjorn!
Loved it. Particularly syringe siren’s singing. I adore such alliteration!
Beautiful visuals. I can imagine the torment of being lured by the song.
Ah! Beware, beware. Lash yourself to the mast, for you cannot resist the song, its refrain and false promises. Lovely dangerous poem.
“all his wishes die” Hard to turn away such sirens when despair has taken over!