Cry

It was a night so dark, so damp; the fog swirled thick about the lamp,
a night not fit for man or beast, a night on which tender hearts ceased
to care about mankind's suffering, so nasty was the storm buffeting
the tiny humble New England town, its weathered cape cods all battened down.
 
When of a sudden a cry rang out, piercing the fog with a shriek and a shout:
Did it herald the dawn of a better day? --Or just proclaim, "Man's lost his way."
Shutters opened, blinds upward flew; Denizens craned their necks for a ring-
side view.
Where was the man who'd issued the cry? Was it a sign of life, or would they
all die?

Just then a riderless horse galloped down, streaking its way through the town,
tossing its mane right then left; of its mystery rider long sine bereft:
Whence the cry had come, no one could tell; when an unearthly voice, straight from Hell
split the night with a ghastly shriek; shutters slammed tight--no one dared
peek,

As the horse veered away, frightened itself, by the Devil's advance along with
his elfs,
Crescendoes of wailing blackened the night--of a poor humble town in a fight for its life.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Faulkner Avatar
April 16, 2018 at 9:11 AM
Makes me think of the Sleepy Hollow tale - deliciously dark-
Wolf Avatar
April 16, 2018 at 3:22 PM
Amazing, Michelle. You nailed it: I actually had Sleepy Hollow and maybe even old Ichabod Crane (among others) in mind while writing this. Thank you for your comment, your encouragement and support! :) gw
Ashley Avatar
April 15, 2018 at 6:08 PM
Wow! Gershon, I was completely captivated by the dark intrigue and mystery created with your compelling content adorned with wonderful rhythm and rhymes, Your awesome imagery gives the chilling effect of fear and alarm most convincingly.. Fantastic poetry, my friend!
Wolf Avatar
April 15, 2018 at 6:34 PM
Susan, thank you for your kind words; they are music to my ears. From you, this is high praise, indeed. Blessings to you, Gershon
Gauthier Avatar
April 15, 2018 at 5:59 PM
Brrr - a chilling tale well penned, Gershon.
Wolf Avatar
April 15, 2018 at 6:36 PM
Thank you, Line...Don't get too chilled, now. (At least I didn't put swirling snow in there, like the kind I'm watching out my Chicago window right now, on April 15, when the avg. temp here is about 58 degrees. Oh, well....) :)
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