deepundergroundpoetry.com
Autumn House
They rattle through this house of olde,
The echoed calls through arteries.
The lab’rinth leading from its bowels,
The iron heating in the core
Where beats its heart now long gone cold.
But as the autumn and the rain
Is rolling through and sinking in
To claim the rafters and the walls,
Was how the rattle came to be,
The autumn whis’ling down the halls.
But what of all the guests now gone
When holidays would welcome them
To sample of its luxuries?
The strolls through gardens manicured,
The games played on the emerald lawn.
Then came the evenings' dining fare
Of duck and quall and Guinea fowl,
The roasts of beef with tarragon.
The pastries afterwards with fruit,
And coffee served with crème Brule.
The old house in its heyday then,
It seems forever and a day
With no one left that lived here when
Who told their families and their friends
To come and visit them to stay.
And so they did, they flocked to see
The regal house that seemed to have
What everybody longed to know,
The way a proper place could be
To everyone from everywhere.
But now the parties' faded charms;
The clink of crystal stemware toasts,
The lilting laugh of meeting one
Whose visit was their first time here,
Whose host would take them in their arms.
And so it was back in the day.
The swirling couples danced till dawn
As music took them by the hand
To guide them up the golden stairs
While others stayed out on the lawn.
The locals speak of times like these
And wonder where they all had gone.
Those lovers in their tux and gowns,
The lilies gilded with such care
With stickpin pearls' glint in their hair.
I too myself do often miss
When I was lulled in my first tryst.
Right there, he met me by the newel,
And found I was too young for him,
Too young for me yet to be kissed.
It comes to me in saddened veil
The reason why I came and stayed.
For suitors and their challenges
Took down the boy I stayed chaste for,
Who died but watches over me.
In stocking feet, the rooms I roam.
There's no one else who knows I'm here,
Or knows as I do where they are;
The bones that rattle from the halls,
Where we have called this house our home.
Published 17th Oct 2016
| Edited 15th Feb 2020
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 9
reading list entries 3
comments 22
reads 1706
Commenting Preference:
The author is looking for friendly feedback.
Anonymous
- Edited 17th Oct 2016 2:44pm
17th Oct 2016 2:42pm
<< post removed >>
Thank you so much dear, you really are too kind. I've been influenced lately with the time of year when it comes to poems I am writing.
-Jadey
-Jadey
Finally had a chance to read it through with calm and thoughtfulness...
I love the shape tenure and Gothic quality of this piece...
Excellent write Jade
I love the shape tenure and Gothic quality of this piece...
Excellent write Jade
18th Oct 2016 4:23am
Its "tenure", yes! As soon as I read that part, even before "Gothic", I knew that's the term that straightened out my head about a poem I'd originally meant to be no more than 40 words in length. The story-teller in me took over and led the way, with me transcribing till there was nothing else. When that happens, I need at least the next day to come down.
Thank you, tomcat!
-tig
Thank you, tomcat!
-tig
17th Oct 2016 8:30pm
Your talent is sobering, I much enjoyed this one, saturated in melancholy. The usage of lesser known vocabulary is an added bonus.
18th Oct 2016 4:34am
Deep gratitude and thanks to you, sir Void, for your appreciation and embrace (RL) of my craft. It means much, for where this particular piece took me, and wouldn't let go.
18th Oct 2016 00:29am
Wow...I walked through the scenes with you Jade:) tinged with nostalgia but a good read for that.
Thank you, dear Grace..,
The way you let yourself be part of my night's journey had me tearing up from the honor. -Jade xo
The way you let yourself be part of my night's journey had me tearing up from the honor. -Jade xo
18th Oct 2016 7:09am
Love the way you present these images Jade, it was so very vivid. Beautifully written poem.
~anonshadow😏
~anonshadow😏
Thank you, dear Anon. How much I appreciate your support and enjoyment: these gifts I receive humbly.
18th Oct 2016 7:18pm
I take this as ghost story Jade, and it's an elegant beauty, albeit sad. Your wording's rich and the dream atmosphere is well sustained.
And so it was back in the day.
The swirling couples danced till dawn
As music took them by the hand
To guide them up the golden stairs
While others stayed out on the lawn.
Angels and the idle rich, lost if they won't take the stairs. This reminds me a little of a '60s foreign film called "Last Year At Marienbad." I recommend it if you can find it.
And so it was back in the day.
The swirling couples danced till dawn
As music took them by the hand
To guide them up the golden stairs
While others stayed out on the lawn.
Angels and the idle rich, lost if they won't take the stairs. This reminds me a little of a '60s foreign film called "Last Year At Marienbad." I recommend it if you can find it.
20th Oct 2016 2:06am
I'm so very moved, my crowfly friend, for your reading of my piece which is indeed very much a ghost story. And as for the film recommendation, I'll do a search in hopes of finding it to view, and I thank you.
27th May 2019 3:11pm
One DUP member wrote, 'your words are sobering.' I say your words are intoxicating tigress. Great submission of this piece in the comp! You really need to collect all your pieces into a book!
27th May 2019 3:23pm
Thank you so very much, Daniel, I am quite overdue. Just the time here on DU I’ve been very inspired in a number of genres I might never otherwise have done. In other words, my writing continues to evolve. And how good of you.
5th Jun 2019 2:33am
It always amazes me that homes can have such history, so forgotten and taken for granted, unlikely to return again. I enjoy the feeling you present, being one of the people who have heard stories and attempted to relive the glory, but it just never quite lived up to the old time memories. You have so many perfect references that certainly relate to old homes, families and towns like the one you experienced and shared. -bim
Why thank you, bim, for your read and comment, which is very much appreciated. I’m touched.
14th Feb 2020 10:33pm
how did i miss this? my sojourn, my suborn, my sorbet all melted in seconds
treasured. big love and respect as always.
treasured. big love and respect as always.
15th Feb 2020 2:29am
Omgosh , dear nomoth, out of the blue to hear from you actually bringing my work back to life with your wonderfully enthusiastic reception, and the RL recommendation... thank you so much.
24th Feb 2020 5:38am
I loved this poem and the picture, it really had a haunted feel, congrats on winning dark stanzas 🌚
24th Feb 2020 8:58am
Oh gosh, I’m terribly honored by your thoughts & regards on this piece. The picture: you mean the one I put with the entry? If so, I’ll be happy to add it here with the published version!😸
26th Feb 2020 3:24am
26th Feb 2020 4:55am
