This is a long form poem (735 words). I was trying to make it in an Edgar Allan Poe’esque type style. This came to me because recently I’ve been getting the smell of smoke in my apartment while I’m alone writing. There have also been odd knocks, winds howling through our apartment corridor, squeaks and cries outside. It’s a bit eerie. What could it be?
A chance for me to write a bit of poetry. *wink*
(Because of Edgar Allan Poe)
The Solitary Knock on the Door
Wind relays my soul in my mind
It’s hollowed wisp of constant cries
Through the hallway and corridor
An empty thump I’d not heard before
A knock on the door, then a thud
I rush to ask, “Who’s there?” with no reply
I ask again, the same refrain
But no answer and more the same
So, I go back to my desk to write something of no meaning
I lean on my chair, and hope the pay will not be too lean
I’ve watched over and over this common scene
Every morning with my coffee, with no sugar and little cream
The winds continue on a solitary sound
My own theme playing in the background
I write on a subject of no interest, for the buyer of no concern
I’ll finish up this project, and then another once I’ve earned
But that knock comes once more; a more forceful lambast
It startles at my heart, through my neck, and through my back
I lift and once again, sauntering slowly toward the portal
“Who is there?” more loudly than my usual chortle
Is this visitor merely mocking me?
I laugh quietly to myself
But in reality, I am stirred to childhood fears
Because I’d heard this sound before but it had been so, so many years
It was when a black crow sat on the lawn
It looked up at me and then the call came
For my father had passed and I seemed to already know
Before being told of this news from the one on the other end
I hung up the phone, all set and already prepared
For the great ox did not survive this time
A life filled of too much women, smoke and wine
I hung up, slowly listening to the reckoning’s chime
And then just a gentle tap
No answer once again
I wait to hear, much too patiently
For fear has now begun to grip
My mere mortal constancy
Walking back to my desk
Something cold crept up behind
I turn in an instant to nothing I could find
Slowly, I sit back in my chair
Trying not to feel those rising hairs
On my arms and the nape of my neck
There’s a lingering scent of smoke that slowly fills the room
My father’s memory coming errant
Across my entire being a sense of unknown
The glowing lights from just outside my window pane
Have gone from bright, to dull, until darkness fills the frame
I know this scene and I’ll not write of it again
For death had knocked over and over to get my attention
I dared not listen, hoping I could write this before the end
But alas, I now see the warning of the banshee’s
And the others all saying, “it’s time.”
For your end will be quiet and will soon be, and nigh
I close my eyes to hear one last cry
The toll it rang once, then twice, then no more
Arising from this harried pace
Death is much warmer than life
So much stronger than strife, tis grace
That is what you understand
When the time is finally realized
When your sleep will be more soundly
Materials, and monies, and more, and just more
Simply to eat one good meal, or sleep one more comforted night
But then you slowly start to realize
Without life there are no hands to hold, no warmth of another
No hopeful endeavors, no speaking with each other
A void is cold in truer retrospect
You fight through the frozen introspect
Burst through your chest, this heart will not fail
You are pushed across the portals, and thick-curtained veils
Arisen on your solitary chair
You look to the screen and what’s written there
You smile to yourself and wish you had heard
As the smoke fills the room
With a gentle hand on your shoulder
Please don’t miss this chance
Before you know it
It’s soon over
And a tear slowly falls to my cheek
A thankful cry as his words doth repeat
In my mind and in my heart
My soul is stirred to continue this life’s arc
For it was all merely a dream, a visitor’s scheme
I’ll see you soon enough, still whispers in my ear
Eat well, sleep well, and always recall,
I love you so much… so, so very much
~FIN~
A cool song to listen to:
I hope you all liked that. My favorite song is this one because I like the lyre he uses in this one:
Please let me know your thoughts on the poem. It probably needs a bit more work.
Thank you and have a great weekend of song, seeking and searching, and finding that great love.
Love you Gracie! 🙂 ❤
the unlit cigarette 