Red's Revenge

by Vincent J Calone


“Don't stray from the path, don't talk to strangers.
Take heed, beware, and try to spot dangers.
Words, echo around your red riding head.
True words ignored, your mother once said.
Alone in the wild, you met a strange wolf.
At first he seemed fun, cool and aloof.
But, you were lost in the forest, fleeing from mom's wrath,
did you miss a sign on the road, as you strayed from the path?

“Pick her some flowers!” he would howl as he'd exit.
You thought this was strange, wondered if you should text it.
Then off to your granny's without delay,
There upon arrival, much to your dismay.
Granny slumped in bed, she looked a little bit odd.
Her worn out false teeth, now sharp and too large.
In feral rage, he sprang up with tail like a flag.
Growling, “I'll eat you too, just like I ate the old hag.”

“Hold it now- there wolfie!” was your fiery retort.
How about some bread and butter and a nice glass of port?
Slow yourself down, we have plenty of time.
Let's make this night special, relax, I'll pour the wine.”
Befuddled, the wolf was thrown for a loop.
as Red buttered the bread and poured him a snoot.
Wolfie just laughed, “I'll take my time and just enjoy both.”
Drinking the wine and eating the loaf.

He gobbled and drank- he demanded some more.
Soon thereafter, the beast collapsed on the floor.
Red smiled and winked as she turned to the door.
“Don't you know dogs can't eat chocolate and onion?
Do you want some more? Are you having fun yet?
The focaccia was spiked, and the babka had coca.
And as for the wine, well, strychnine, to choke ya.”

The moral of the story, is to always choose the dare.
Go it alone and uncover your hair.
The night, it is black, the woods, dark and deep.
Always check the bed before you slip in to sleep.
Never talk to a stranger, never trust a creep.
Never stray from the path, look before you leap.
Wear your cape proud and leave them for dead.
Red's only a color, a stigma, made up in the head.

Release your covered locks for all the world to see.
Never let a monster tell you who you should be.


* * * * *

"Red's Revenge" is dedicated to Vincent J Calone's wife Danyalle and daughter Jewelia. It was written from a prompt- Tell a children's story but change the ending. It is narrated by T.A. Niles at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gds6_f4RFS0s.

Vincent J Calone, poet -
Chapbooks, include UNWOUND 40 poems and songs written during covid-19. He enjoys writing in form and writes and posts a new poem every day on Raven Wire Poetry Prompts on Facebook.
Recent publications include, Fresh Words An International Literary Magazine, selected anthologies- Cooch Behar, Nature and Everest- India, Wingless Dreamer, The 24 Hour Poetry Marathon Anthology. He's a regular reader live @ Spo-Fest on line, the MUSE @ Neir's, Jack Jack's and Flash Mob Poetry. Vincent is proud to be part of the writing collective www.brateragency.com