In Your Attic

*To the tune of "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen

I've heard there is a secret floor
That's locked behind your attic door.
But you don't really want to show me, do you?
You keep her there,
A ghost, a fiend -
An angry beast that taunts unseen. 
The crazy wife who wants to burn your house down.

You have Bertha in your attic
You have Bertha in your attic

My love was strong, so I needed proof
That she was jailed beneath your roof.
She showed up in the moonlight to betray you.
She lit the flames, she left you there
To choke on smoke and fight the flare.
The crazy wife who tried to burn your house down.

You have Bertha in your attic
You have Bertha in your attic

Edward, I've been hurt before.
I've been condemned, I've been ignored.
I used to feel alone before I knew you.  
I've seen her face through the attic door.
I've heard her wails through the attic floor.
The crazy wife who tried to burn your house down.

You have Bertha in your attic
You have Bertha in your attic

There was a time when you let me know
The truth about your scheming show.
But now you wish you'd never told me, don't you?
And remember when she stalked my room
Searching for her cheating groom?
The crazy wife who tried to burn your house down.

You have Bertha in your attic
You have Bertha in your attic
You have Bertha in your attic
You have Bertha in your attic

*Based (lovingly and jokingly) on the story of "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Horstkotter Avatar
May 30, 2013 at 7:24 PM
Nice write.
Hunter Avatar
February 27, 2013 at 1:52 PM
You can write about anything and make it fun to read...You are officially on my fav poet list.
The Gypsy King Avatar
February 13, 2013 at 5:05 PM
Was good.....sang it out loud to get it right.... Thanks, made me smile
Lamoureux Avatar
February 13, 2013 at 8:25 AM
I see I was right, such a rare experience for a man ha ha. I so enjoyed reading this one again. Very well done Heather!
Veetil Avatar
February 11, 2013 at 11:47 AM
very interesting blend ,congratulations on your win....
A   Avatar
February 11, 2013 at 9:49 AM
Heather, .. Congrats!!! :-) on your winning poem. *Always~PD
Squyres Avatar
February 11, 2013 at 9:08 AM
Well done !! A completly different take on the contest. Enjoyed the read and the humor. Congrats on your win !!
Eastman Avatar
January 24, 2013 at 11:03 AM
Recognized Jane Eyre immediately... Artfully done... If no one has said it... Welcome to PoetrySoup... Your talent is a joy to read.
Zerbst Avatar
January 24, 2013 at 10:21 AM
Nice to read some poems that are lyrical. You have done a great job on this one, Heather. I am sure it will do well for ya in the contest.
Ellison Avatar
January 23, 2013 at 7:57 AM
Leonard Cohen is well known to me... both Montrealers by birth! He started out about the same time as I was part of a fledgling folk group and we were once on the same TV show in the mid-sixties! Hugs, Jack xox
Ober Avatar
January 24, 2013 at 10:25 AM
No way! That's so cool!! Montreal is a beautiful city.
Dietrich Avatar
January 22, 2013 at 10:50 PM
oh Good, I guessed it. Although i did not remember that character's name, I could tell this was probably the Jane Eyre story. This is TOTAL cleverness. I love it.
Lamoureux Avatar
January 22, 2013 at 6:12 PM
This is flippen fantastic, you had me from start to finish. A piece to be proud of. Thanks for your visit and thoughtful comment. Have a great evening. I would wish you luck accept I doubt you need it.
Ober Avatar
January 24, 2013 at 10:19 AM
"Flippen fantastic" - I think that is my favourite compliment ever haha! Thank you!
Sivey Avatar
January 22, 2013 at 2:23 PM
This is a tremendous write, a lovely poem! I truly loved reading this awesome piece, Excellent Work!!
Winter Avatar
January 22, 2013 at 1:54 PM
Wow, this is fantastic!! I was singing in my head to every line! Love Jane Eyre, think I've seen it 20 times!! Good luck in the contest, it is truly brilliant! Hugs, shar xoxo
Situation Avatar
January 22, 2013 at 12:18 PM
now i have to get the movie. well writen.
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