To poison those whom one holds dear,
Some children get a secret thrill
From plotting the familial kill.
Such was the case with Master Young,
Who did away with his step-mum,
And also tried Antimony,
On others of his family.
While one should praise keenness of mind,
Especially in the young, I find
A childhood interest gratified,
Is no excuse for matricide.
© Graeme Williams 2015
I wrote this poem a few years ago after chatting with a friend about the poisoner Graham Young. I've always been reluctant to post it as it is a lighthearted poem about a less than lighthearted subject. Nevertheless, I am something of a fan of Harry Graham's Rutheless Rhymes and Hillaire Belloc's Cautionary Tales, so in the end I took the plunge. Apologies to any that are offended.
