Mark Bult Design: San Francisco, CA, Established 1988

Red-headed creatures

I've been a fan of Robert A. Heinlein since grade school and I've mentioned here and in other venues how much I've been influenced by his characters, how much I've learned from his books.

I recently found a magazine that published two of his poems, which had never been published before, shortly after his death in 1988.

If only I had read this a few years ago.

"The Witch's Daughters"
by Robert A. Heinlein, 1946

Have no truck with the daughters of Lilith.
Pay no mind to the red-headed creatures.
Man, be warned by their sharp, white teeth;
Consider their skulls, and their other queer features.

They're not of our tribe, with their flame-colored hair;
They're no sib to us, with their pale, white skins;
There's no soul behind those wild green eyes
Man, when you meet one — walk widdershins!

When they die, they pop, like burst soap bubble
(Eight hundred years is their usual span.)
Loving such beings leads only to trouble.
By Heaven, be warned, you rash young man!

— —

Oh man, I married one of those "red-headed creatures."

Labels: Heinlein, misc. personal, poetry, Velma

Posted by espd at 12:33 AM | 
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