The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!
Monkey’s Paw
by Alex Grehy
The explorers were obscenely excited
>hearts tripping<
.
when they found me in the jungle
>to offset costs<
.
a brand-new species, to them.
>patentable<
.
Forest guides spoke of my miraculous power
>positive anecdotal evidence – believed<
.
cures for every ailment, it seemed.
>dollars in their eyes<
.
Local elders spoke of my accursed nature.
>mere superstition – ignored<
.
They collected seeds, cultivated me in the lab
>oh, how I grew<
.
researched, isolated, purified my essence.
>as if it would be that simple<
.
They finally found my secret in the soft touch of lips.
>life is love after all<
.
Their healthy subjects sickened, death inevitable
>there’s the catch<
.
their subjects embraced their loved ones, a last kiss.
>but the loved ones lived – forever<
.
They named me the Monkey’s Paw Orchid
>How very apt<
.
then quietly buried their research, stopped all trials.
>lawsuits averted<
.
But you can buy my seeds in garden centres
>what a beautiful flower<
.
everyone grows me, I am so easy to cultivate
>I cure all disease<
a tisane of my flowers tastes of fragranced honey.
>Who will you invite to tea?<
.
They’ll drink and take pleasure in your generosity
>no need to feel guilty<
.
they won’t mind, they want the best for you
>Don’t forget to kiss them goodbye<
.
Fiction © Copyright Alex Grehy
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com
More from author Alex Grehy:
Last Species Standing
Alex Grehy (she/her) enjoys writing quirky, thought-provoking horror and is a regular contributor to The Sirens Call and Ladies of Horror Flash Project. Her fiction and essays on being a lady of horror have featured in a range of publications, including Spread: Tales of Deadly Flora. Alex’s first poetry collection, Last Species Standing, which explores mankind’s relationship with nature and technology, is available on Amazon.
Spreading the Writer's Word 