Actaeon’s Ultimate

I see the Goddess only once. My awe at her naked, moon-radiant beauty I enjoy for only a breath. Then the panic begins.

rippling water

Oh, the excruciation, as my body and limbs contort under her power. The antlers erupt from my skull. Fine fur permeates my skin. My voice constricts to that of the scared game I’ve become.

a shimmering Hunter’s moon

The growls and baying of my loyal hounds. Fifty of them, who scent only another deer to run down. Unable to speak, I flee. But I trained them too well, and though I race my newly endeered body to breaking, they fall upon me. It’s a mercy when the oldest of them clamps his canines through my jugular.

spreads out

The darkness closes in. My last thought—Her beautiful, cold face…

Halloween

the last hungry ghost

before dawn

Image credit: By I, Japiot, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=131777672

I’m hosting Haibun Monday today over at dVerse. We’re writing about either Halloween or the Hunter’s Moon.

The pub is open! Come join us!

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Comments

24 responses to “Actaeon’s Ultimate”

  1. kim881 Avatar

    I like the shape and form of your haibun, Frank, and especially the stand-alone phrases and the haiku. And who can resist a werewolf?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      or the famed victim of Artemis’ ire. 😉

      Thanks, Kim!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. kim881 Avatar

        My pleasure, Frank!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    Love how you dived into the mythology here… and a harrowing story you told.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thanks, Bjorn! 😀

      Like

  3. jaerose37 Avatar
    jaerose37

    Beautifully and cleverly written – thank you for the prompt as well – Jae

    Liked by 1 person

  4. rothpoetry Avatar

    A frightening tale, Frank. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thanks, Dwight! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      1. rothpoetry Avatar

        You are welcome, Frank.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you, Melissa!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Ain Avatar
    Ain

    Stunning, and the literary referencing so well done. Exemplary in style, meaning something that sets a standard. Tense, V well crafted.

    Like

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thanks, Ain! I appreciate your thoughtful and kind feedback! 😀

      Like

  6. Truedessa Avatar
    Truedessa

    The hunter becomes the hunted. Enjoyed the interweaving of mythology.

    Like

  7. lynn__ Avatar
    lynn__

    Impressive and frightful storytelling in haibun form! Thanks for hosting, Frank.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thanks, Lynn! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Helen Avatar

    A Haibun to keep you perched on the edge of your seat ~ a huge WOW & WELL DONE.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thanks, Helen! 😀

      Like

  9. Lisa or Li Avatar

    Frank, I adore this composition. You capture the feeling of doom so well with “I’ve trained [the hounds] too well” to think he’ll ever escape.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. pandamoniumcat Avatar

    Wonderfully composed. As a reader I am transported, something about it reminds me of a novel I read years ago, Werewolves of London by Brian Stableford. Very much enjoyed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thanks! Happy you enjoyed it!

      Like

  11. Kim of Glover Gardens Avatar

    Wow, I love the creativity and vivid imagery here! And this clever phrase: “newly endeered body”. I also love how there are two haiku in this spooky piece. I feel like I just went to a master class in creative writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you, Kim! I’m delighted you enjoyed it.

      Like

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Frank J. Tassone-American Haijin by Frank J. Tassone is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0