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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 © Lin Lane | Year Posted 2023

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Joseph May Date: 9/1/2023 11:49:00 PM You executed this write well Lin, Congrats on your win Login to Reply

Gershon Wolf Date: 8/23/2023 7:18:00 PM Well, you certainly took me back to the final chapters of 'A Tale of Two Cities!' ~ Sidney Carton Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 8/24/2023 2:52:00 AM Ending this one on the worst of times for those were to die by beheading. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment, GW.

David Kavanagh Date: 8/23/2023 2:04:00 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 Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 8/23/2023 2:36:00 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.

Jeff Connelly Date: 8/23/2023 1:56:00 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 Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 8/24/2023 2:54:00 AM Maybe a wee bit of a trim? Jeff Connelly Date: 8/23/2023 6:49:00 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... Lin Lane Date: 8/23/2023 2:28:00 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.

Tom Cunningham Date: 8/23/2023 12:50:00 PM Quite a gruesome machine Lin, you gave it life with your words. I can name a few candidates for you lol. Tom Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 8/23/2023 2:23:00 PM I’m quite sure my list and yours would be identical. Thank you, Tom for liking it personified.

Robert Lindley Date: 8/23/2023 11:45:00 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... Login to Reply Robert Lindley Date: 8/23/2023 12:38:00 PM HAHA. YES MA'AM QUITE A LONG STRETCH. But you came up with a gem by switching. God bless. Lin Lane Date: 8/23/2023 12:24:00 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.

Paula Goldsmith Date: 8/23/2023 10:04:00 AM A wonderful write/picture. I enjoyed it. Bet it was hard to watch. Have a great day............. Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 8/23/2023 10:49:00 AM Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it, Paula.