On this overgrown, secluded island,
miles from the harbor’s shore,
I stand before its abandoned tower,
the eternal beacon of the seas.
I find my mind turns to the fabled tale
of the keeper and his young bride.
Toted along to tend the lighthouse
she complained of excess boredom
in the lonesome winter months;
with no hobbies to pass the time
as she waited for the sun.
Come spring her devoted husband
sent word for a baby grand
to be hoisted to the top floor
before the next winter set in.
With pride he presented the gift
to set his love’s mind at ease.
She was delighted with her new friend,
eager to dance upon the keys.
Alas, with no sheet music to guide her
she found it arduous to carry a tune.
Upon relentless searching, one song
was found amongst the packing,
so she blissfully set out to play.
This time around when the island
was snowed in with no way out
she fluttered out her merry melody.
As joyous as could be, she played
endlessly to pass the weary days.
Even gifts of new sonatas
would not stop her incessant notes.
The same score she always played
driving her poor husband insane.
Fed up with her repetition,
he took a broad axe to her prize.
Upon her protestations,
the keeper turned upon his wife.
In a shower of scarlet ribbon
he sliced her head clean off,
her body slid down to the icy floor
in a puddle of her blood.
In distress over his actions
the keeper plunged over the cliff
To take his empty life.
On a quiet night the two can be seen
perpetually tending to the light
as a gentle tune floats on the breeze
drifting with the harbor's tide.
I sigh, recalling the travesty
performed upon these lands while
I stand draped in resounding silence
as her piano plays…
Author notes
The poem itsef is actually 50 lines... it's all the empty lines sending it over the limit
Pic Prompt: http://www.sawse.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/63327984_7275622bda.jpg
In a list
- Maniacally Macabre group list • next in list
A contest entry
- Haunted by Virgo.
700 points, ended November 10, 18 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
I tried. I hope you enjoyed
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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Holy Moly~
Oh My Word~
Oy~ I was moving along from line to line and
when he chopped her head off
Gasp~ my jaw dropped...
I had this snippet come from The Shining...
this feeling of dread~ felt it coming on
then Whammo
Excellent story You have told
which grabs the Reader by the throat
Bravo!
You da
Wowzers! Powerful scene set~~~
Congratulations on Your Trophy
Woot~
Yay!! 
Keep that quill dancing
Thank You for sharing Your Voice & Talent
Best wishes in all You do Beautiful~
with love & light~ Desire~*~
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wow
amazing i really like this one, seems like it has some deep meaning while being aesthetically beautiful , keep it up!
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oooooo creapy gave me people bumps. O.o uh oh i think i wet my self. great now i have to change thanks alot
good poem u know i like
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wow, this was beautiful and sad. I felt bad for the wife. all she wanted was something to do...*tears*...I loved it!! =^_^=
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...wow...now that was creepy..lol..excellent story...and beautifully..hauntingly poetic..wonderful job here
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a haunted soul remains within tower where she continues playing her ghostly tune...
lingering within the hour!
Keep penning on one stroke at a time!
Bill
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Special
Well Stef, this really is a haunting piece. You've worked some special magic with the pic as your prompt. Maybe the madness was mutual as she could play nothing else than the tune that gave them both death, now they tend the lighthouse together and the lilting tune gives life to their ministrations together again and fo all eternity. Tis a fine piece of work my niece.
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Yeah... I thought she had to be a little crazy to if she continued to play the same old thing, even with new music given to her lol. THanks for the comment Uncle Rex
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Wow Stef this is amazing what a great eerie tale of a man turned mad by her piano playing. I cant pick a favourite part coz I loved it all I loved the build up of the story and I was really shocked when he killed her! Great take on the picture prompt Good luck in the contest
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You on a real Lighthouse kick huh? She wished for a distraction, he wished her happy. They both got not only what they wanted, but more than they expected.
Gotta watch those monkey paws.
Having experienced this sort of thing, very well done
Peace
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wow
this is a suberb poem...
got sucked into this one.....
gutted that the husband may have been a bit over moody
though and chopped his wife's head off.....over a piece of music......scary
i may have to stop playing repetitive tunes in the house just in case...
well done for penning this...its awesome...
Fed up with her repetition,
he took a broad axe to her prize.
Upon her protestations,
the keeper turned upon his wife.
In a shower of scarlet ribbon
he sliced her head clean off,
her body slid down to the icy floor.
awesome stanza
Jayde
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I like this poem I think it has fantastic imagrey you can almost hear the tune that she played for so long Thank you for entering, good luck
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