Tuesday, 01 September 2009

BLUEBEARD'S WIFE

    When Bluebeard died
    His first and last wife
    Inherited his castle.    

    Now she could go
    Into all the rooms
    That were once forbidden.    

    Some were stuffed
    With female corpses.    

    Those she already
    Half-knew about.    

    In her time she had bagged and labelled
    So many dried-out bodies.    

    What really surprised her
    Were the endless
    Untidy
    Cellars and attics
    Inhabited by the living -
    Whining poor relations,
    Dependent children.    

    She had no need of those.    

    She tore up Bluebeard's will.

    A rich widow now,
    She's busy husband-hunting.