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.
April 3, 2016 at 10:35 AM
Outlawyer said…
Doesn't it just drive you crazy? So much about punishment rather than help. Thank you, Susie. Very well drawn. K.
April 3, 2016 at 10:38 AM
Audrey Howitt aka Divalounger said…
There is always something so violent about a scarlet letter--beautifully said!
April 3, 2016 at 10:47 AM
Kerry O'Connor said…
This is a smart synopsis of the classic novel, with a wry twist of a modern interpretation. Great stuff.
April 3, 2016 at 11:49 AM
De Jackson said…
This is fantastic. I LOVE: "Puritans have stout alphabet fingers"
April 3, 2016 at 3:29 PM
Gemma Wiseman said…
Love the line:
'gossip scurries faster if spoken in scarlet.'
A feisty cameo.
April 3, 2016 at 3:47 PM
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.
..
April 3, 2016 at 10:40 PM
grapeling said…
Hester in all of us for the jesters on the campaign trail. Well spun, Susie ~
April 3, 2016 at 11:59 PM
Other Mary said…
Oh, that's clever and succinct. Well done, Susie.
April 4, 2016 at 7:33 AM
Post a Comment