Wall Of Lilacs by Ethereal One at All poetry

A house of history and charm
we thought we found the perfect home,
promising hope and happiness
we entered with enthusiasm.

We were hit by a heaviness
the air seemed stale and uneasy,
climbing the stairs I was startled
a child’s humming filled the hallway.

Was I imagining this sound
maybe just tired from the move,
deciding to keep this to myself
I entered the bedroom to rest.

I awoke to my legs being pulled.
Unable to see who was there,
so frightened I could not speak
I knew something was very wrong.

Deciding to do some research
I traveled to the library,
looking through the archives I gasped...
murder was committed in our house.

The Captain's wife was unfaithful.
Overcome with rage and torment,
he pushed her down the long staircase.
Needing to dispose of the body
he buried her near the house,
behind a fragrant wall of lilacs.

Author notes

Captain Lemuel Clap was a tanner by trade and a prominent Dorchester resident who invited Colonial troops to camp on his property during the siege of Boston. The Clapp genealogy describes Lemuel as follows: “Lemuel, third son of Ebenezer, Jr. and Hannah (Pierce) Clapp, was born in Dorchester, April 9, 1735, and died Dec. 29, 1819. He married, first, Dec. 11, 1760, Susanna Capen, of Dorchester, who died March 6, 1767, aged 26 years. They were married the same day his sister Ann was married to Noah Clapp.
He married, second, Nov. 3, 1768, Rebecca, third daughter of Rev. Samuel Dexter, of Dedham. Lemuel was a Captain in the Revolutionary War.

In a list

Dark poems • next in list

A contest entry

What About This House? by JeannieD Hunter. 1000 points, ended August 6, 2008, 8 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest

Please tell me what you think

Comments

1 - 5 of 5

By me, right now

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Blushfulmoon
August 24, 2008

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excellent~
I always love a good ghost story
Now Danny is gone delevering the papers until 6:30 this morning...and Bruce is sound asleep...I was sleepy until I read the Misery poem and this one..now am wide awake and bushy tail...lol............
This has all the elements....and congrats on the honorable mention...
You go girlfriend
Hugs
Susan~~~
superstition
August 8, 2008

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Despite my Christian background and way of life, I have to admit that I'm always fascinated by a good ghost story whenever one crosses my path, and this one was a fun one to read! Sometimes a place has a lot more character than we know, and sometimes we pay for more than we bargained for. I really enjoyed this write...eerie!
Liquid memories
August 6, 2008

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WOWWWWW
sounds like some old houses I went into as a young boy. They do scare you with mystery and darkness. Enjoyed the read, thank you kindly for sharing this wall of lilacs outside this old house. Interesting for sure!
JeannieD Hunter
August 6, 2008

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Awesome!!! I really like the chills this creates as the reader progresses to each line. Very well written. I also like that you used original history in your comment. Very well done! Thanks so much for entering my contest and good luck!
Desire
August 1, 2008

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Wow~
Oh My Word~ You know this reminds me of "Ju-on" The Grudge regarding the husband in a fit of rage
Oy!!

You painted a picture which sent goosebumps up-down-all around my spine~
Love the ending with the Lilacs-
Interesting too...
smart man to bury behind the house near Lilacs-
for I kept getting that inkling to *mask* the stench of deathwhat a thoughtful guy...
I remember in Murder She Wrote an episode where the woman's dog- kept digging in the floral bed-
eventually dug up the man the two women of the house murdered
Geeeeeeeeeesh!! Love this!!!
Excellent take on the prompt!!

Thank You for sharing Your Talent and Spirit~
Many blessings to You in the contest Sweet Soul
Best wishes too
and much love & light~ Desire~*~