The King of Poisons

Cherry

By luigi_pagano

Sat, 23 Aug 2025
  • 511 reads
8 comments
 

Let me introduce myself,
I am known as Arsenic
and, as far as names go,
I think it's quite specific.

I am a chemical element
and the atomic number 33,
along with the symbol As,
is what characterises me.

Present in soil, water, air,
and various other things,
I was the King of Poisons
and the Poison of Kings.

Many medieval monarchs
took the poisoned chalice
without ever suspecting
the premediitated malice.

The Brewster's residence 
where poisonings took place,
is talked about in the play
'Arsenic and Old Lace'.

It tells us of two spinsters,
who happily, now and thrn,
gave drinks laced with me
to unlucky lonely old men

 

 

© Luigi Pagano 2025

Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

Thank you so much for reminding me of that film Luigi. I must have watched it on TV as a child one afternoon. If you go to the IMDB you can watch the official trailer and it's such a period piece!

I think you've very neatly covered all bases with your IP response - well done!

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Many thanks, Claudine. I remember seeing that very funny film with a great cast which included Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane and Peter Lorre, years ago. I looked up the trailer, as you suggested, and it reminded me  of the enjoyment I derived from watching it.

Cherries, greatly appreciated. Luigi x

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Well done, Luigi! It makes me not want to know you in that persona! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

You'd be wise to avoid my toxic alter ego, Rhiannon! devil

Cheers, Luigi x

 

 

Submitted by lenchenelf on

...always subtle and clever, another fine piece from you Luigi.

Best as ever

Lena x

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I always try my best to be devious, Lena.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

I've heard there is arsenic in cigarette smoke. Nicotene itself is just as poisonous some micrograms diretly into your bloodstream you fall dead on the spot. But you body metabolizes Ni extremely rapidly thats why a few puffs dont give you an OD and a smoker's body builds comparatively very strong resistence.

The only drug occuring naturally in the human body -- Vit B3 I think- nicotene-amide.

See you Luigi! Tom

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

You are a mine of information, Tom, which I gladly assimilate. Thank you.

Best, Luigi