The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!
The Ties that Bind
by Angela Yuriko Smith
One lock. A lock-it
hanging from an iron chain.
.
Two locks. Twin bracelets
to make sure you remain.
.
Three locks. On the wall
you’re too precious for me to lose.
.
Four locks. Upon the posts
to hide you from the news.
.
Five locks. To hold the door
until we make amends.
.
Six locks. Upon the cage
to make music in the wind.
.
Seven locks. Around your neck
until the priest arrives.
.
Eight locks in my bouquet
and look! You’re still alive.
.
Nine locks. Mama was wrong.
There’s still good men to find.
.
Ten locks, and wedding vows
and all the ties that bind.
.
Fiction © Copyright Angela Yuriko Smith
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com.
More from Angela Yuriko Smith:
Angela Yuriko Smith is an American poet, author and co-publisher of Space and Time magazine, a publication that has been printing speculative fiction, art and poetry since 1966. Together we build a poem as a community each month. Visit “Exquisite Corpse” at SpaceandTime.net to submit.
Spreading the Writer's Word 
I love the way this flows along like a nightmarish folk tale! Good one!
A cool poem, loved it.
This as great rythm – as lyrical and dark as any traditional nursery rhyme – great work