Writing > On Creativity > Bluebeard's Key
 

The Metaphor

In talking about creativity, one is often in need of a metaphor, because the essential is always slightly hidden, tending to vanish when one focuses too intently - a bit like night vision. Therefore I chose the fairytale of Bluebeard as metaphor to facilitate this investigation.

Bluebeard's Key

Once upon a time,
so the story went
A beauty started on a quest
to find her sisters who were lost.

She faced the woods,
the beasts within,
they gave her clues
to find her whim.

Coming to the castle,
she wed the ancient man.

The keys to every door
he gave her,
but bode her
NOT TO LOOK
in every nook!

But being eve,
Of course she did
and in her shock
did drop
the precious key
in that bloody horror
Of a room.

She found her siblings,
beheaded, drawn,
quartered and with
heads all shorn.

She cried and cried
and cried and cried
and washed their bodies
with her tears.

Mended all
and kissed them well -
sent the six their kin to tell.

So with her key
and stained ring
waited for the Ogre king.

He came at last:
"My love, my queen
Over seas and mountains
I have been!

I missed you so,
because I know
Your heart is white as snow.

He touched her
and her heart recoiled,
"It's soiled!" she cried,
and showed the key.
"Never mind, " said he,
"Come lie by me... "

Anni Snyman

Posted 04 August 2006, www.annisnyman.co.za, author: Anni Snyman

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