Fantasy Poem "At the Wheel"

Fantasy poem "At the Wheel" originally published in the Spring 2010 issue of the print zine Illumen and also published July 2014 in the webzine Aphelion, December 2014 in Aphelion: "Best of 2014", and August 2023 in the now out-of-print speculative poetry collection Cosmic Journeys and Gothic Visions.

"Tom-Tit-Tot" illustration in image above originally published as part of the fairies and dragons series of illustrations in Flashing Swords Special Edition, Summer 2008.

At the Wheel

The wooden wheel turns ‘round and ‘round
While Tom-Tit-Tot spins wicked spells.
Black fingers twist enchanted threads
To fulfil a fell bargain struck
As whispered words weave tangled webs
Of diabolic enthrallment.

The wooden wheel whirls ‘round and ‘round
While Tom-Tit-Tot spins five whole skeins.
Ebon lips twitch with savage glee
Roused by swaggering assurance
That secret facts and unfound truths
Will remain hidden forever.

The wooden wheel twirls ‘round and ‘round
While Tom-Tit-Tot spins a foul fate.
Foolhardy vows bind mortal soul
As surely as tempered steel chains.
Fair maid becomes a promised bride
Unless she hails that imp by name.

The wooden wheel goes ‘round and ‘round
While Tom-Tit-Tot spins darkling dreams
Grimly conceived in midnight’s gloom.
The wretch drifts off in sinful thoughts
Hoping the lass gives lusty sport
When her pure white flesh is made his.