Life Lesson: Tale of Two Cities - When Villains Prove Heroes

A barrister tottering through alleys of London,
  Alcohol-shamed when espied;
Slinking home at four in the morning,
  To a pillow of tears never dried.

Sidney Carton's the wretch whom others denounce,
  He groans at his puffy, ruined face in the mirror;
Daring not to yearn for dreams long abandoned,
  Departed down whiskey-dulled rivers.

Still from eye's corner notes he the resemblance
  To erstwhile hero, Charles Darnay:
That dashing Frenchman who's captured the heart
  Of the woman for whom Carton secretly prays.

So, milking that resemblance for all it is worth,
  Carton offers up his life, brutish and mean,
Inserting his own head, instead of Darnay's,   
  'Neath the knife of 'Madame Guillotine.'

When sure of morality down here on Earth,
  We suddenly uncover confusion,
Villains prove heroes and heroes mere villains:
  Is Certainty but an Illusion?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Sazonov Avatar
March 9, 2018 at 5:29 AM
Lovely read Gershon! I'm not sure what i'm more impressed with, the astonishingly vivid imagery or the fact that you do not sacrifice any poetic elements to maintain rhyme. I'm currently going through your works with immense glee!
Wolf Avatar
March 9, 2018 at 1:10 PM
I'm humbled, Kyrill. What can I say? --Just that I appreciate your kind and caring words. Know that you have given me a huge boost. THANK YOU! :) gw
Ashley Avatar
February 23, 2018 at 9:29 PM
A beautiful poem with wonderful rhythm and rhyme, Gershon, based on a great book that I too read in high school. I loved the book and I love your poem. Excellent! Congratulations on your lovely win. Warmest wishes to Winter Wonderland.. ~Susan
Wolf Avatar
February 24, 2018 at 7:19 PM
Susan, your warm words light up a drab February weekend here in Chicago, much as Carton's love for Lucie Manette 'lit up' the climax of "Tale of 2 Cities" and delivered Darnay into Lucie's loving arms forever and aye. Thank you for your encouragement and support. Best wishes, :) Gershon
Haight Avatar
February 22, 2018 at 11:36 AM
I enjoyed reading your awesome poem based on this wonderful book, Gershon. Congratulations on your well-deserved podium win. Sandra :)
Wolf Avatar
February 22, 2018 at 12:54 PM
Thank you, Sandra...Isn't it a pity that many high schools in the Chicago area no longer teach this book / require that students read it? :) Gershon
Pett Avatar
February 22, 2018 at 6:38 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved win Gershon, well written. :))
Wolf Avatar
February 22, 2018 at 12:55 PM
Thank you for visiting my site and for the compliment, Roy!
Roper Avatar
February 21, 2018 at 1:18 AM
Enjoyed reading your synopsis very interesting , Gershon, congratulations on your win. Hugs Eve~`*
Wolf Avatar
February 21, 2018 at 9:00 AM
Thank you, Eve. And congrats on your winner in "The Loss of Innocence" category. Yours was/is a powerful and gut-wrenching poem. :-) Gershon
Gauthier Avatar
February 20, 2018 at 5:23 PM
Awesome poem. I too was SO impressed with this book when I read it in high school. Thank you so much for entering it into my contest. Congrats and superbly done, Gershon.
Wolf Avatar
February 20, 2018 at 8:41 PM
Oh, Line! I'm so excited. I was so hoping that this poem might catch your eye. And it has...(Now perhaps we're showing how young we are here---I read it in high school too,...and then taught it in high school for years as well. But who cares about numbers when it comes to 'age?!') With appreciation and gratitude. Forever young! :) Gershon
De Beaulieu Avatar
January 31, 2018 at 6:53 PM
A story in a poem. I like it.
Wolf Avatar
January 31, 2018 at 6:58 PM
Thank you, my friend...And by the way, it's a grrrrreeeaat story in the original, methinks. Warm winter wishes. ---Gershon
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