A kenning is a very brief metaphoric phrase or compound word and it means “to know” (derived from Icelandic, but exist in many other languages like Swedish and German). It was used extensively in Old Norse (later Icelandic) and Anglo Saxon poetry as a mean of adding both colour, and better meter to the skaldic songs
You were not always heavy-handed,
I always thought you petite.
The long afternoons, spell-bound,
In each other’s presence, entranced.
What happened, innocence-laced
Girl child became repugnant crone.
You spread your poison-words
Spoiling everything you touch
Not caring, hell-bent inflicting
Pain at every opportunity.
I protect my faultless-offspring
Knowing I suffer.
Aware the knife-launch
Could be seconds away.
Once you were wide-eyed
Bushy tailed, innocuous
Witchy-ways were harmless
Now a weapon of mass-destruction.
Written for: http://dversepoets.com/2014/03/20/kennings-the-metaphor-of-skalds/
Morpethroad 
You have used some very strong kennings here, Michael! Things are all the harder when we have been lulled by innocence and eventually have to come to a painful awakening.
Thank you Gabriella kennings leant themselves to this dark past of mine. Thanks for the great comment.
whew….people can change pretty quick eh? and once soured can do quite a bit of damage…hard to see them change as well knowing who they once were…well paced piece too…kennings tucked nicely in…
Thanks Brian, “kennings nicely tucked in” I do like that comment. Thanks so much.
It is so difficult to deal with those who spread poison-words. They definitely can be weapons of mass-destruction in the hands of those who choose to act in that sort of way. I can feel strong feelings in this poem.
Thank you Mary my past affords me much to write about.
Wow, people like that give Witchy people a bad name. Strong, powerful Michael. It is indeed hard to deal with a person like that. I know that myself. But it makes for great writing.
Thanks so much Jackie. Yes there are some good witchy people, not all are bad.
Nope, not all witchy people are bad.
I live in hope then.
that was really well done
Thank you so much good sir. Happy you thought so.
“…Witchy-ways were harmless
Now a weapon of mass-destruction.”
YIKES!
Where’s the happy ending to this fairy-tale? 😉
I guess like reality – not all stories have happy endings – eh?
No RoSy they don’t but better days are just ahead. Thanks as always for your comment.
Wit by ways, now how many of us females get that tag …looks… A dramatic entry loved the girl child became repugnant crone, nicely done for the prompt my friend.
Thank you Jenny sad but true.
Welcome
Ok so I typed witchy and my IPad typed wit by…. Good grief 😦
I got cha drift.
Tanks mate 😉
Wonderful poem…a cautionary tale too!
Thanks so much Bryan I appreciate your comment.
well played off that pic and what a change indeed… so sad and have seen that happen with people… it’s tough…
Thank you Claudia but thankfully the past, the future is very bright indeed.
When bitterness infects it can become a disease to spread… Very good kennings you used.. Shows that sometimes it become easier to create them on strong subjects.
Thanks Bjorn once I was started it was a pleasant task to complete on a very unpleasant part of my life. Thanks so much for the prompt and your comment.
Well..your words certainly speak truth here of BEAUTY as much more than skin deep only..
Some folks age gracefully..
and other folks..age ..well..
sometimes
hatefully..
So sad as the spirit..
never ages..
when tended as flower..
instead of
thorn…
Thanks Katie I appreciate your insightful comment. Please call again.
Can relate to the damage done….esp like faultless offspring 😉
Thanks Katy, appreciate your comment.
Very powerful and can be transferred to so many situations, great poem
Thank you so much I appreciate you reading and your comment.
A pleasure x
Ooh, now this has an old world feel to it, which I really like. Witchy-ways… delicious kenning!
Thank you Freya, my past has such images for me to draw upon. Have a good day/evening.
Now I am intrigued…. and feel slightly sad, too. I guess that’s how we can surmount the not so good things in life, by using them to create something new.
from lady-love
to haunty-hag
her honey-tongue
became a pitchfork
hellish-tool
the wounded
your love-struck
heart …
Great poem…sad about the inspiration though!
Thanks Georgia our pasts are full of inspiration.
Wow! Michael, what a character…to avoid by all means! This prompt seems to have had lots of material from which to be inspired. Well done.
Thanks Oliana I think in my above comments I outline where this has come from. Thanks so much for reading I appreciate as always your comment.
My pleasure. We had snow again today!!! you must be getting cooler weather by now, more comfortable.
My mornings are very pleasant but now in the afternoons it gets hot……..but that’s how it is. Have a good evening you must be hanging out for the sun by now.
I want warmer weather…no more snow.I didn’t even go out to visit my mom, since it was snowing off and on all day and more in her area. I work tomorrow (your today), so it will probably be amazing weather…lol
You can be sure of that…lol…..
Wow. When crone wisdom becomes a bitter power it is dangerous…well done!
Thank you so much Shanyns I appreciate your comment.