Salt or Ketchup?
playful horror poem
Salt or ketchup is usually a pretty straightforward question.
Both, right?
Not if you are forced on the regular, like I am, to play a macabre game of Would You Rather. Please enjoy this writing warm-up in the guise of a poem.
I am working on the siren-inspired horror short. I’m at about 1000 words and am still not entirely happy with it. Never fear, I will be happy with it eventually, and it will materialize in your inbox soon.
Salt or Ketchup?
“Would you rather…”
she muses, eyes twinkling,
gripping her bloody canine that just fell out.
Flashing me a gapped grin,
her tongue slips into the new vacancy.
Groaning, I shake my head in protest.
A mischievous lift of an eyebrow
follows a thrust of her tooth toward me
and her favorite refrain,
“Would you rather…
eat ground up teeth as salt…
OR
ketchup made of human blood?"
“Neither.”
She cackles.
“You have to pick one.”
“Do I? I didn’t sign a contract.”
“That’s the game.”
I sigh, resistance futile.
“Once or forever?”
“For. The. Rest. Of. Your. Life.”
“Ground up teeth as salt.”
She stares at her tooth and nods.
“Would you rather—”
“Nothing gross this time.”
“It’s not fun if it’s not gross.”
She’s right.
“Would you rather
swim in a pool of used Band-Aids…
OR—”
“I’m not doing this one.”
“Then I’ll chose for you.”
“No! I’ll choose my own fate.”
For now.
Knowing that one day,
it will be completely in her hands.
Wicked Tree Press News:
Early Bird Orders for Book 2 of the Mary Shelley’s School for Monsters, The Killing Stone, close April 15th. This is the only way to get the book before the masses with exclusive extras.
Wondercon Panel line-up and breakdowns:
On Sunday, I had the honor to introduce Gamal Hennessy for a special Comics Contract Presentation hosted by the comics committee for SFWA members. I learned a thing or two about contracts that’s for sure. Gamal’s a veteran comics attorney and is a great resource to anyone who might need legal support involving publishing. He gives free consultations.
Finally, don’t forget to check out the Lunar Award short horror fiction competition hosted by
who helps manage Macabre Monday. Writers have until March 31st to enter their stories. Looking forward to reading the stories that come out of this round.
I love poems like this. Well done.
Urp! (I'd vote for neither.)