Notes About The Poem

August 23, 2023 ~ G or T Personification Contest

              Sponsored by Joseph May

Guillotine

I heard screams from those marked for a guillotine death
No compromises for their cries before taking a last breath
Words of repentance for dastardly crimes were bemoaned
Begging for mercy with fear and tears, curses were groaned

My blade is always kept whetted for those who regretted
and my cutthroat job is thought to be brutally inhumane
"Oh, please!" I wanted to shout at the louts who fretted,
"For only the briefest moment will I cause you any pain!"

In modern days I would be aptly labeled a "French Press."
Humorous, the thought, but I'd still create a bloody mess
Hence, never should I ever be used inside of an abattoir
Before I take a life, I always remember to say, "Au revoir."

I abhor the taste of blood in my mouth and on my teeth
Love to be cleaned before my blades are again in sheath
When my deadly decapitation chore is over and complete
heads I felled roll to lie supine at the executioner's feet

People then clear the scene, to flee from me, the guillotine
As if what they'd witnessed me do would wash them clean
Maybe it was the act of my beheading they were dreading
Hoping tomorrow it wouldn't be theirs that I'd be shredding
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

May Avatar
September 1, 2023 at 11:49 PM
You executed this write well Lin, Congrats on your win
Wolf Avatar
August 23, 2023 at 7:18 PM
Well, you certainly took me back to the final chapters of 'A Tale of Two Cities!' ~ Sidney Carton
Lane Avatar
August 24, 2023 at 2:52 AM
Ending this one on the worst of times for those were to die by beheading. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment, GW.
Kavanagh  Avatar
August 23, 2023 at 2:04 PM
A dark choice from you Lin, which makes this one all the better, on the surface the guillotine spectre does seem inhumane, probably the psychological effect of what’s going to happen is the worse part, but I’m pretty certain their is no physical pain, a fine personification and poem, great one for the contest, (I wonder if Putin could be passed through incrementally feet first) cheers David
Lane Avatar
August 23, 2023 at 2:36 PM
Lol David. An inch at a time starting with his toes until he bleeds to death or until he screams for mercy when the blade reaches his “ahem” area. That’s the moment the whetted blade is exchanged for a rusty one and the guillotine saws instead of slicing. Thanks for your encouragement.
Connelly Avatar
August 23, 2023 at 1:56 PM
Lin, your use of words and language in this poem are fantastic. "Whetted" and "regretted"; "abbitoir" and "au revoir", plus so many more. Really a beautiful poem for such an ugly chore. I'd gladly have given my head to have written this one lolol. Thanks and hugs
Lane Avatar
August 24, 2023 at 2:54 AM
Maybe a wee bit of a trim?
Connelly Avatar
August 23, 2023 at 6:49 PM
Thanks Lin, but I have shoulder length hair, and a long beard; so I could do with a shave... Though not much on my topnotch... Hmmm...
Lane Avatar
August 23, 2023 at 2:28 PM
I’ll sign over the writer-ship deed to you, Jeff but that blade will not shave a hair from your neck. Thanks so much for the many complimentary comments.
Cunningham Avatar
August 23, 2023 at 12:50 PM
Quite a gruesome machine Lin, you gave it life with your words. I can name a few candidates for you lol. Tom
Lane Avatar
August 23, 2023 at 2:23 PM
I’m quite sure my list and yours would be identical. Thank you, Tom for liking it personified.
Lindley Avatar
August 23, 2023 at 11:45 AM
My friend very fine poetry on such a ghastly subject. The French gave us the quillotine and french fries. No ketchup please. God bless...
Lindley Avatar
August 23, 2023 at 12:38 PM
HAHA. YES MA'AM QUITE A LONG STRETCH. But you came up with a gem by switching. God bless.
Lane Avatar
August 23, 2023 at 12:24 PM
Garlic butter or ranch dressing, Robert. Try either one if ketchup is too acidic for your taste. I went from writing ‘Beautiful’ to ‘Guillotine.’ That’s quite a stretch when it comes to taking a different fork in a road. I hope you enjoyed both paths. Thank you.
Goldsmith Avatar
August 23, 2023 at 10:04 AM
A wonderful write/picture. I enjoyed it. Bet it was hard to watch. Have a great day.............
Lane Avatar
August 23, 2023 at 10:49 AM
Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it, Paula.
Baker Avatar
August 23, 2023 at 9:54 AM
Well done, Lin. An excellent Personification poem. I liked the humor in it also. Have a guillotine free day! :-) Bill
Lane Avatar
August 23, 2023 at 10:49 AM
I’ll be sure not to stick my neck out for anything today. Thanks for your review, Bill!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace