“Rust and Thistle” was written in 2026 as part of the back story of the narration character in the “A Shattered Cup of Doom” novella. It is a Dark Gothic work wrought with ghostly tones and woeful elegy, developed most ironically out of roadside decay. It is a snapshot given in the “Third Shards of Broken Glass” chapbook collection. This poem warrants a trigger warning, so be advised.
“RUST AND THISTLE”
a low wind moans and
flutters basted tufts of roadkill bristle
gangly shadow fingers
scratch and claw at grit and grizzle
fly fandango carcass
bloated rancid and abysmal
along the river road
on the cemetery lawn
a sleeping fawn,
she was my bride
once upon a time
wrapped in linen lace and
scabs and gauze,
a memory survived
once upon a time
but when the shadow of
the butler touched
her shoulder from behind
once upon a time
the mirror of her soul
collapsed to fragments
in her mind
once upon a time
once upon a time
an old wind moans and
mutters distant puffs of railroad whistle
and there ahead i am, i am
a tin can wrapped in rust and thistle
the skulking shadow lingers
last remains but no dismissal
along the river road
once upon a time
along the river road
Copyright © 2026 Robert Myrnyj | All rights reserved.
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