I wrote this poem for the MacMillan book of MONSTER POEMS chosen
by Brian Moses, and chose it to put up thinking it might be enjoyed as
a bit of light relief, unless, of course, you do have a monster at the bottom
of your garden!
THE WORST MONSTER
The worst monster in the world lives at the bottom of my garden.
She lives in the bushes just past the apple tree|
And never comes out unless she’s wearing her frock of old shadows
Patched with bits of night.
Plus, a little bright ribbon in her hair.
I can always see her ribbon, like eyes, really, shining in the dark.
‘You can’t be scared of a monster who wears a ribbon,’ people laugh.
‘Oh, can’t you!’ I say.
‘You should be here when she creeps into the house and lies in wait
on the stairs.
Or when she sidles into my room and hides under the bed.
I bet you’d be scared!’
I can handle that.
Well, most of the time, I can, but maybe not at midnight when the church clock
Chimes twelve times,
Calling out witches and wizards, floaty ghosts and hungry monsters
Who tap you on the shoulder and breathe down the back of your neck.
Yet, none of them are as scary as my monster,
Who wears a ribbon in her hair and hides at the bottom of the garden,
Waiting to get me.
The worst time, the scariest time,
Is not when she’s hiding in the bushes just past the apple tree.
It’s when she stands up and without taking one foot off the ground,
Catches the moon in her dark mouth and swallows it!
Then, I can’t see anything,
Not even her ribbon,
And I am more afraid than ever.
(c) 2005 Gwen Grant
Poems by Gwen Grant 
You got me on this lovely poem Gwen! Very enjoyable and fun!
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Glad you liked it, Sharon. It used to interest children into drawing lovely, quirky pictures!
Gwen.
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wow ! great ending; enjoyed this one 🙂
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Thank you!
Gwen.
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Fun! It seems you can write about anything, Gwen, even scary monsters!
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A long writing life!
Gwen.
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I think I’d get on with your monster Gwen!
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I’ve thought that about myself many times!
Gwen.
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Thank you Gwen, for sharing your wonderful poem! “The Worst Monster” immediately captivated me. The idea of a monster hiding in the shadows, appearing only in a dress from night, is both mysterious and charming. It stimulates the imagination and makes me smile – I can well imagine that it is a great addition to Brian Moses’ book! I think it’s great how you handle with words and take us into a world full of magic and a little creepy.
Gwen, I wish you all the best 🥰…..Rosie
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Thank you so much, Rosie. I think it’s magical the way you open up the world so we can all share it and rejoice! Must be great to have such loveliness literally at the tips of your fingers.
Gwen.
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