A Poem for Magaly’s prompt on Real Toads: three titles one poem. Today is Day 13 of NAPOWRIMO, There are eight book titles in this poem. At least three have three or more words. Titles: The Nasty Bits, Blood is Blood, Some Danger Involved, The Violet Fairy Book, The Secret Life of Bees, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Road to the Deep North, The Witch’s Gift, Pet Sematary
Blood is Blood
I often referred to my trip to the farmer’s market
as the road to the deep north because of the distance.
I started up the side steps and stopped –
a rabbit ear lay in the center of the top step –
a little chewed –
all was gone, even the nasty bits.
I looked at the seven pair of golden eyes
staring at me – the feral cats I feed.
Did one of you do this? I asked sternly.
the witch’s gift, I muttered.
I went into the house and came back with a sheet of paper towel.
I carefully picked it up and grabbed the shovel.
I shook the tears from my eyes and contemplated.
this bunny had started life not knowing
there would be some danger involved.
I went to the edge of the woods,
to the area I called the pet sematary,
dug a hole and inserted the ear,
covered with violets and dirt.
Take this child oh Mother for blood is blood
you take it unto yourself.
I walked back to the house and sat on the back steps.
This spring the back yard exploded in violets –
like the violet fairy book, they spread everywhere –
white, deep purple, lavender and rare pink.
I watched the bees going back and forth
between the violets and the hive.
I gained peace watching the secret life of bees.
The front lawn was perfectly smooth
the back yard was wild with clover and wildflowers.
The perks of being a wallflower,
Alone, living and growing under the sun,
drinking the rain and dew.
kanzen sakura 
Apr 13, 2019 @ 22:01:23
Oh, how beautifully witchy!!
Apr 13, 2019 @ 22:25:08
Thank you. In my own quiet way.
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Apr 13, 2019 @ 22:24:33
What a wonderful story and poem, and with what seamless perfection you weave in the titles.
Apr 13, 2019 @ 22:35:51
Even when discussing death and the carnivorous nature of cats, there is a sense of calming peace to your words.
Apr 13, 2019 @ 22:40:52
Thank you Barry. Cats are cats. I feed the feral cats twice daily to keep them from their killing birds and other creatures. But cats are cats and the small onez are as much predator as the large cats.
Apr 13, 2019 @ 22:53:16
I really love the dark realist fairy tale feel of this one. It’s like receiving the gift of listening to a conversation that is happening in your head, and taking the journey with you all at once. And the titles fit so naturally into your poem. I love it!
Apr 13, 2019 @ 23:08:32
Thank you. This actually happened to me Wednesday. Thank you for the interesting prompt. That poor little rabbit ear. I figured the cats were sharing their largess.
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Apr 14, 2019 @ 00:37:34
Yes, this does sound like a dark, realist fairy tale. Nature happens and thus we must deal and then appreciate spring’s paintbrush of flowers. I love this!
Apr 14, 2019 @ 02:27:32
First I want to say that I believe your story to be true, for what forces of nature could deny this blessing: Take this child oh Mother for blood is blood
you take it unto yourself.
Secondly, what is the deal with feral cats? I feed one that is living under my house, yet still he attacks my birds at the feeder.
Apr 14, 2019 @ 02:48:11
Like the big cats, it is their predatory nature. Cats are only one generation from being wild. Dogs on one hand are about three generations from being wild. Even domesticated cats will attack anything it perceived as food. My aunt in TN and I weekly share stories of burying dead animals. Thank you for believing my story is true because well, it is.
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Apr 14, 2019 @ 02:39:25
Simply stunning! Loved every bit – it reads so smoothly and I was taken right along with the horror and acceptance of the wildness (and necessity) of nature.
Apr 14, 2019 @ 03:06:24
This is utterly stunning Toni ❤❤ I love how effortlessly you have woven the titles in your poem 😊
Apr 14, 2019 @ 17:52:59
A great tale, with titles that slide in unnoticed.
Apr 14, 2019 @ 17:58:54
You know I hate “vampire” poetry, where one rips off other people’e titles/lines, but you’ve done a good job of making all this flow smoothly without the, uh, “borrowed” standing out like sore thumbs. The event you describe is indeed heart breaking. Over the years, my dogs have caught rabbits, squirrels possums and a skunk. And the grackles at the feeder killed sparrows and a juvenile robin last year, as well as a nest of baby starlings, so i actually stopped filling the feeder for a while until they cleared out. That is natural creatures acting natural in the wild, but that doesn’t stop it being upsetting to us who love the animals and birds. it was my first dog who caught rabbits. The first time, he was SO proud of himself, he brought this huge rabbit straight to me. I could tell he was totally confused by my distressed reaction.