NaPoMo NZ Day 6 - Ransom notes

[just mercedes]

 
 
 
Rules: Write a poem for national poetry month on the topic or form described. Each poem should appear as a separate reply to this thread. The goal is to, at the end of the month have written 30 poems for National Poetry Month. 


Topic 06: Write a poem inspired by a ransom note.
 
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/crime/news/article.cfm?c_id=30&objectid=1592673
 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1931060.stm
 
http://www.crime.co.nz/c-files.aspx?ID=10283
 
or a kidnapping with no note
 
http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly...d6-d4.html
 
 

Form : any
Line requirements: 8 lines or more

Sorry - I couldn't find a link to NZ literature for this, though I'm sure there must be some.
 

[just mercedes]

The baby’s been stolen!
 
The envelope contained a ransom note,
as well as polaroid photographs of baby Kahu
on a couch with a newspaper pinned to the wall
behind her. Baby Kahu was alive and well,
would be returned in exchange for dollars.
 
If there was any interference from the Police,
or the ransom was not paid in full,
she would not see her baby again.
 
There would only be one attempt to collect
the ransom; if there was any sign of Police,
or aircraft, she would not see her baby again.
 
$1 million dollars New Zealand in $100 dollar bills,
$1 million dollars New Zealand in $50 dollar bills,
and $1 million dollars in gold coins. Further instructions
outlining the manner in which Donna Marie Tai Tokerau
DURIE HALL should arrange delivery of the ransom.
 
The government decided to pay.
 
 
(Found, except for the final line, in ‘Police Summary of Facts’ re Terence Traynor’s court appearance  http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/494)

---

The Lindbergh case


Because my father was a pilot, I
took heed when ‘aviation’ reared its head.
A baby, kidnapped twenty years ago,
became my favourite story read, in bed.

Brave pilot’s only son, the story goes.
They’re rich, a servant puts the boy to bed
and closes windows. He would hear a cry
from down the hall. Into the father’s head

a thought of danger leaps, he runs, and finds
the window open, no one in the bed.
A ladder leans against a wall nearby.
The curtains flap. There’s nothing in his head

but need to find his son. ‘Of course I’ll pay!’
He does, but Charles is dead, and flown away.

[Anna]

random note

eccuse moh
I ate the missing
iceceam
don't ask who
will do
with two moh
nect time

[just mercedes]

I don't know why this made me think of William Carlos William's plums, but it did.

[Anna]

I don't know why this made me think of William Carlos William's plums, but it did.

bingo

the prompt was so serious,... I did not want to write a serious poem, when I need to write humour, I zero out, and then it comes, one after another, birds on a string, 
what can I say 
ty

[Keith]

Hobson's Choice

Charlevilles point at a flint-locked war,
pins map out infantry from the north.
From field smoke Maori mountains are robbed
vast lands are claimed by French muskets and grog.

Tribal letters ascribed by proud chiefs
ask for support despite their beliefs.
The British are coming to help stop the wars
oh your quite welcome, there's just one thing more.

Sign this treaty and together we stand.
God save the queen and give her your land.
The North is quite small, we'll include the south
colonize New Zealand, yes we'll help you out.

What will happen when ask for your child back?
We'll probably say sorry and that will be that.

[Todd]

Gone

She leaves home so often;
you stop noticing.
Until the day, she doesn’t come back.
Light retreats to shadow,
and everything narrows into a tunnel. 
You look at your husband over
dinner, and push 
food around your plate. The hours drag
waiting for a call, or a note,
like in the movies, but there’s no bargaining
except with God. She’s vanished
in a perverse magic trick,
out of your life,
into a disappearing box, 
just before the magician died.

No words exist
to make her reappear.

[Keith]

@Todd, nice job, some powerful lines, I like the closing in tunnel sequence and the silent dinner. perhaps "just before the magician" rather than "and then" just a thought I know these are only rough drafts but this is already very good. Best Keith

[Todd]

I like that thought, Keith, thanks. I'll take the note right now. Anything to reduce the "and's"

[QDeathstar]

Democratic Tyranny

We need complete control
of your hope
and fear.

Acquiesce power and we'll offer
cult of personality promises
and a lonely sense
of belonging.

[CRNDLSM]

Dear brain, I have your liver.
You just have to forgive her.
I know you're only drinking 
to keep from over thinking.
I'll return it how it was,
if you quit, cold turkey, 'cause 
I miss how you were so smart.
Sincerely, your heart.

[just mercedes]

Keith, Todd, QDeath, CRNDL - four so different poems, each strong, each one another facet of poetic response - I'm so much loving this!

[Anna]

Dear brain, I have your liver.
You just have to forgive her.
I know you're only drinking 
to keep from over thinking.
I'll return it how it was,
if you quit, cold turkey, 'cause 
I miss how you were so smart.
Sincerely, your heart.

I love this take on the prompt 
thanks for sharing

[kolemath]

I saw a kid

napping in a tent camouflaged in the woods
near the black waters of Lake Matheson.
When I approached, I saw an empty bread bag,
a container of peanut butter.
When I asked if he was O.K., he started up
in panic.  "Get back!" he screamed, backing
to the corner of the tent.
His eyes were wide and hungry
like empty saucers.
"I ran away from home!
And left my parents a ransomed note
asking for $100.  I need it
for more bread and peanut butter.
Will you help me?" he asked.
"Or you could just go home and eat," I said.

[just mercedes]

kolemath - great twist on a ransom note