deepundergroundpoetry.com
WHERE GIANTS REST
(A Ghost Club Story)
Somewhere in Italy we rendezvous
exploring some fresh spectral lore.
We’ve all traveled far to serve on this crew
with distinctive why and what for.
Villagers claim it’s laid deep with the bones.
Of a haunted nightspot they speak.
Late, late at night they hear drum beats and moans.
Club Amontillado we seek.
In ancient churchyard the entrance is found
to the catacombs vast and uncharted
Sir Crow volunteers to be first underground
anxious to get the quest started
Aimlessly walk cobwebbed hall after hall
when whispers Sophie, “I can hear muted laughter.”
And a bass palpitates behind this brick wall.
It seems we’ve found what we’re after.
Excited we look for the secret club door.
True to the tale no portal was made.
In haste the mason left his tools on the floor.
Trowel blades rusted, wooden handles decayed.
Slowly succumbing to aggravation.
Just barely convinced that there must be a way.
Al spied on the wall an incantation.
Scrawled in blood or red wine, hard to say.
Jade, Luna and Zazzles chant the mysterious spell.
In an instant we’re there in the room
jarred by the rush of sight, sound, and smell
A grand “WELCOME!” resounds in the tomb.
A skeletal dandy takes center stage.
Propped on a cask filled with sherry.
Bleached bones of indeterminate age.
When sober his suffering was scary.
Edgar Allan and the Poettes
playing lively yet macabre tunes.
A popular act at phantasmal fêtes.
At his Annabel smiles as he croons.
Katja dances with nary a care.
Layla waits for open mic hour
when Angelou, Plath, and Kerouac share
their wisdom in one mighty shower
Frost and Whitman bartending.
More teaching than dispensing booze.
Masterclass without ending.
We bask in their uncluttered views.
Heroes of verse occupy the seats.
Over there sits an auspicious trio.
García Lorca, Oscar Wilde, John Keats
conversing, guffawing con brio.
There in that booth, Sendek and Seuss
sipping gin with a moose and a goose.
Animatedly debating rare sightings
of the ever elusive Sibilicuss-Sleuce.
On cocktail napkins Shakespeare scribes
sonnets to Rose Jasmine and Mel.
Entranced by the bard each with gusto imbibes
every word that flows from his well.
Like moth to a flame Li’l Dragonfly glides.
Her diaphanous wings merrily flit.
Destined to land where Emily’s soul abides.
As she on Lord Byron’s waiting lap lit.
Splitsunsets senses the new day dawning.
It’s time we ascend to the surface.
Sad to abandon new friendships spawning
We promise to live with more purpose.
Some plead with our host, “please can we stay?”
Your membership here must be won.
You’ve much left to write, dues yet to pay,
love left to prove ere you’re done.
Somewhere in Italy we rendezvous
exploring some fresh spectral lore.
We’ve all traveled far to serve on this crew
with distinctive why and what for.
Villagers claim it’s laid deep with the bones.
Of a haunted nightspot they speak.
Late, late at night they hear drum beats and moans.
Club Amontillado we seek.
In ancient churchyard the entrance is found
to the catacombs vast and uncharted
Sir Crow volunteers to be first underground
anxious to get the quest started
Aimlessly walk cobwebbed hall after hall
when whispers Sophie, “I can hear muted laughter.”
And a bass palpitates behind this brick wall.
It seems we’ve found what we’re after.
Excited we look for the secret club door.
True to the tale no portal was made.
In haste the mason left his tools on the floor.
Trowel blades rusted, wooden handles decayed.
Slowly succumbing to aggravation.
Just barely convinced that there must be a way.
Al spied on the wall an incantation.
Scrawled in blood or red wine, hard to say.
Jade, Luna and Zazzles chant the mysterious spell.
In an instant we’re there in the room
jarred by the rush of sight, sound, and smell
A grand “WELCOME!” resounds in the tomb.
A skeletal dandy takes center stage.
Propped on a cask filled with sherry.
Bleached bones of indeterminate age.
When sober his suffering was scary.
Edgar Allan and the Poettes
playing lively yet macabre tunes.
A popular act at phantasmal fêtes.
At his Annabel smiles as he croons.
Katja dances with nary a care.
Layla waits for open mic hour
when Angelou, Plath, and Kerouac share
their wisdom in one mighty shower
Frost and Whitman bartending.
More teaching than dispensing booze.
Masterclass without ending.
We bask in their uncluttered views.
Heroes of verse occupy the seats.
Over there sits an auspicious trio.
García Lorca, Oscar Wilde, John Keats
conversing, guffawing con brio.
There in that booth, Sendek and Seuss
sipping gin with a moose and a goose.
Animatedly debating rare sightings
of the ever elusive Sibilicuss-Sleuce.
On cocktail napkins Shakespeare scribes
sonnets to Rose Jasmine and Mel.
Entranced by the bard each with gusto imbibes
every word that flows from his well.
Like moth to a flame Li’l Dragonfly glides.
Her diaphanous wings merrily flit.
Destined to land where Emily’s soul abides.
As she on Lord Byron’s waiting lap lit.
Splitsunsets senses the new day dawning.
It’s time we ascend to the surface.
Sad to abandon new friendships spawning
We promise to live with more purpose.
Some plead with our host, “please can we stay?”
Your membership here must be won.
You’ve much left to write, dues yet to pay,
love left to prove ere you’re done.
Published 9th Jul 2018
| Edited 17th Aug 2018
Author's Note
I wrote this for the "Ghost Cub' competition. It's based on one of E. A. Poe's stories, "The Cask of Amontillado" that frightened me most as a kid...with "The Telltale Heart" a close second, hence the "palpitating bass." I have so many favorite poets here in DUP and I did not include a good percentage in this piece. My admiration for those left out is by no means diminished. I also thought much of poets i miss as I wrote this poem. TommieLynn, Souladareatease, BlueAngel, L'il Southern Belle, and so many others.
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 12
reading list entries 8
comments 21
reads 1177
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
Ah dear Bob, this is such a sweetie, yet bittersweet write, and how honored I feel you've include me. And ah yes, so many who are no longer here, and I miss those I knew every day.
I didn't even know I had a space on my RL, but I took a chance and hit the mark, which instantly accepted my request, so I've got it safe over at my place!
With love & pen-respect,
Always Jadey
I didn't even know I had a space on my RL, but I took a chance and hit the mark, which instantly accepted my request, so I've got it safe over at my place!
With love & pen-respect,
Always Jadey
9th Jul 2018 9:10am
Thank you Jadey! I had a lot of fun with this write. it also gave me a chance to reflect on the work of some of my favorite poets. Thank you for the reading list entry as well. Cheers!
9th Jul 2018 11:57am
9th Jul 2018 2:49pm
Thank you Tim! So would I. It would be an endless fascination. Cheers!
10th Jul 2018 00:18am
10th Jul 2018 00:24am
I just knew, somehow, that you'd appreciate your role in our adventure :) I am glad you enjoy the piece.
10th Jul 2018 00:26am
Muchisima gracias por incluyerme en tu poema! Me encanto mucho, y te deseo suerte en la competicion!
10th Jul 2018 1:34am
Muchisimas gracias, Luna! Mi recompensa es que te gustó mi poema. Muy amable!
Anonymous
10th Jul 2018 11:30pm
Made me smile and shiver... Great job lovely one. Honoured <3
10th Jul 2018 11:51pm
The perfect reaction I hoped for with this piece. Merci Beaucoup ma jolie amie.
12th Jul 2018 6:58am
I must say when i started reading, i didn't know what to expect but you've infused so many layers with references from the greatest which truly makes me feel humble to be mentioned amongst them alongside with some of the most prolific writers here on at Du. Thank you Bob and you are one of the best writers i know and you always put so much attention and craftsmanship in your work. It's always a joy to read you.
12th Jul 2018 7:19am
Thank you so much Layla! Because I was including some of the greats and some of my favorite DUP poets, I felt I needed to take the time to appropriately honor them. I am thrilled that you like this piece.
12th Jul 2018 5:30pm
I really love the short story "The Cask of Amontillado", a must read by Allan Poe. Glad to have a tour with your lead to review the scene of the catacomb, and rejoice seeing many other great poets and me included here...you have given the horror story a new life dear Bob...I felt I was just at the scene...you have shown me how to recreate a classical story...
love
Jasmine
love
Jasmine
12th Jul 2018 6:37pm
Thank you Jasmine! It's a story that haunts me to this day...not sure why. I think it's the idea of being walled-in, confined to any space. Did you get my subtle references to "The Telltale Heart" and "Annabel Lee?" I appreciate, as always, your support.
Anonymous
12th Jul 2018 8:20pm
youre truly an wonder for the soul..
love it!!
PS.. will keep it in my hurturing care when space is
found on my
wall again
love it!!
PS.. will keep it in my hurturing care when space is
found on my
wall again
12th Jul 2018 11:22pm
Awesome! I'm glad you like the piece. I toyed with ending it dark...no escape kinda thing. Coukdn't be bothered with the incantation fine print...
15th Jul 2018 11:57am
when you said one of the things i love doing... not gonna lie... thought there was public indecency involved lol
fantastic write, g
xxxxxxxxx
fantastic write, g
xxxxxxxxx
15th Jul 2018 9:06pm
LOL! I would never paint you that way...those coulors aren't even found in my Crayon box. Merci beaucoup pour ton amitié et ton mots aimables
15th Jul 2018 10:16pm
Fine and clever work, Gahdess. Some of this really does have the ring of Poe. Of course, I love the classical and DUP references. Impressive!
16th Jul 2018 1:09am
Thank you Sir Crow. I am having fun with the, brief, morbid obsession I had with Poe in my junior hugh years . It started with an English class assignment reading "The Telltale Heart. " As a scared kid, heavens knows why I continued to explore his work. Hence you can see why I needed good friends around for this journey.
