I Come From the Land of Twilight
A Story in Haikus
I come from the land
Of twilight; I lost my way
A long time ago
*
I was a young girl
With bright eyes and sallow face
And long, wheat-like hair
*
Most spectacular
To all those who observed me:
My pale, verdant skin
*
They examined me
And prodded me, put me on
Display for their joy
*
They did not care what
Their shows did to me. I just
Wanted to go home
*
Then day after day
Year after year, my skin
Lost its greenish hue
*
I grew more like them
Learned to read and write like them
‘Til I was no more
*
They lost their joy in
Looking at me, watching me
I lost my joy, too.
***
Author’s Note: This poem is based on a supposedly true story of a green-skinned girl and boy found in the village of Woolpit in England during the 12th century. You can read more about it here:
About the Creator
Stephanie Hoogstad
With a BA in English and MSc in Creative Writing, writing is my life. I have edited and ghost written for years with some published stories and poems of my own.
Learn more about me: thewritersscrapbin.com
Support my writing: Patreon
Reader insights
Nice work
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
Top insight
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
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Comments (8)
I have a story about these children in my drafts. It's been there nearly as long as I've been here... It might stay there forever, no way I can top this!
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Great words
So interesting! Great Haiku reflections
Oh wow, I've never heard of this Green Children story! I wish there were cameras back then so we'd know for sure how much of this is true. Loved your set of Haikus!
Great haikus tell the story. I never heard of these children. Thanks for sharing.
❤️ the curse and blessing of difference. You told the story very well. ❤️
This gave me chills. Noy even sure why exactly. x Stunning X