Spoken In Scarlet


Puritans have stout alphabet fingers
detest secrets without windows, and
prefer stones pious packaged in prayer.

The self righteous have a preference for somber,
but believe gossip scurries faster if spoken in scarlet.

With Bible trumping they command
a woman to wear their scarlet A
so her adultery can remain
 fodder for their high horse.

©Susie Clevenger 2016

My not so (Cliff) Cliff notes
of The Scarlet Letter.

Day 3 of NaPoWriMo 2016
Real Toads Flash 55 Plus!

Comments

Preeti S. said…
Superb re-telling of Hawthorne's classic in verse.
Outlawyer said…
Doesn't it just drive you crazy? So much about punishment rather than help. Thank you, Susie. Very well drawn. K.
There is always something so violent about a scarlet letter--beautifully said!
Kerry O'Connor said…
This is a smart synopsis of the classic novel, with a wry twist of a modern interpretation. Great stuff.
De Jackson said…
This is fantastic. I LOVE: "Puritans have stout alphabet fingers"
Gemma Wiseman said…
Love the line:
'gossip scurries faster if spoken in scarlet.'
A feisty cameo.
Jim said…
Nice, Susie, I'm smiling. Did your version of the Cliff notes say that Gossip was the motivation for the Letter "A" in scarlet? I should have some of my Cliff note but I don't know where they are.
..
grapeling said…
Hester in all of us for the jesters on the campaign trail. Well spun, Susie ~
Other Mary said…
Oh, that's clever and succinct. Well done, Susie.