Carolyn Devonshire Poet Narrative

Notes About The Poem

The Bony Finger

The Bony Finger

Investigator Carla received a bony finger
Tossed through her window by a mystery slinger 
With it came a note that vexed her curious mind
“This finger’s all I took, the rest I left behind”

The note dared her to visit Windom Plantation
A haunted mansion of maligned reputation
Driving miles uphill to a “castle in the sky”
The old estate’s legacy began to petrify

Wind howled through broken windows as she opened the door
To find long-legged spiders crawling on the floor
Carla used her flashlight to explore each dark room
Shrieking cries emanated from one windowless tomb

Her cell phone in hand, Carla mustered the courage
With pulse pounding, she hoped rumors she’d disparage
Then she saw it, a shadow moving toward the attic
And all at once, Carla’s persona grew frantic

She followed it, climbing the attic stairs in haste
To find horror greater than that for which she’d braced
A destitute man who was missing every finger
Had sent notes like Carla’s to nine other sinners

It took but one soul with compassion and fortitude
To free this man from lonely, haunting solitude




*Posted on January 12, 2019
Submitted for Jenish Somada's "Let the Pens Flow" narrative contest

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Jennifer Proxenos January 25, 2019 at 8:28 AM Wow Carolyn, what a deserving win! A terrifying poem so amazingly written - nail biting until the last word. A really scary poem. Congratulations Carolyn Poetry hugs, Jennifer. Carolyn Devonshire January 25, 2019 at 10:35 AM My mind can go to dark places when I eat the wrong food. LOL

P.S. Awtry January 24, 2019 at 9:36 AM O my! That ending I did not see coming! Great story-telling Carolyn! Congratulations :)

Wendy Watson January 24, 2019 at 7:35 AM Amazing where the imagination can take you!! I think that bony finger beckoned a sure success from the sponsor!

Ann Gilmour January 24, 2019 at 2:43 AM Gosh this made the hairs on the back of my neck rise!! Brilliant imagery and loved your rhyming, particularly "a bony finger and mystery slinger", haha. Many congrats Carolyn on your winning placement. Kindest thoughts Ann xx

Andrew Fairchild January 23, 2019 at 9:51 PM This is just wonderful! A spooky tale with a compassionate ending! Just wonderful! LIke finding a kitten, and feeding the kitten, in a Stephen King Novel.

Eve Roper January 23, 2019 at 7:27 PM Nicely done, Carolyn, you have created great imagery and feeling on your well written poem. . Congratulations on your win . Hugs Eve ~`*

Joseph May January 23, 2019 at 7:20 PM A chilling tale.... Congrats on your win Carolyn..

Tania Kitchin January 23, 2019 at 5:50 PM Carolyn I really liked your suspenseful story, congratulations on your winning placement! Carolyn Devonshire January 23, 2019 at 7:10 PM Thanks, Tania! I'm really impressed with Ed Morris's amazing poem. It was captivating. I had fun writing mine. Thanks for second place.

Andrea Dietrich January 15, 2019 at 5:16 PM YOu did well with the challenge. I did not realize I had to describe an entire night in a manor but once I told my story, I was already up to 24 line limit so it is what it is. haha. I hope you are ok and that I get a note from you soon!

Darlene De Beaulieu January 14, 2019 at 8:24 PM Hello Carolyn, this poem is creepy!!! I had chills when reading it. have a nice evening my friend.

M. L. Kiser January 13, 2019 at 2:10 PM Ooh, I got a chill...wonderful entry for the contest; well done.

Vladislav Raven January 13, 2019 at 10:32 AM Hi Carolyn, fantastic write. Before I go on, I can say, reads like a winner to me. From the first line I was hooked. This is a story that holds the reader's attention, it has everything. I love the suspenseful drama. I just love the whole content. Your words paint such strong images. I got the heebies at the spiders. I definitely have a spider phobia. This one has to do well. Good luck in the contest. Have a wonderful Sunday. Hugs....Mike. XX Carolyn Devonshire January 13, 2019 at 10:42 AM Afraid of a little creepy wood spider? LOL The first time I saw one, I screamed. They were on the walls in a friend's kitchen at night. They're at least 4 inches long/wide and have dark fur all over them. Surprisingly, they're not harmful, just rather hideous to see.

Aseem Desai January 12, 2019 at 7:46 PM Awesome! Gripping, dramatic, fantastic.. Loved every second of it.. Super Carolyn Devonshire January 13, 2019 at 2:29 AM Thanks, Aseem!. Desai may be a common last name in some parts of the world and there was an Anoop Desai competing on "American Idol." What a wonderful voice he had! He was in the top four.

Arthur Vaso January 12, 2019 at 4:23 PM Wow, I loved this, what a great tale and this is just so well written! Carolyn Devonshire January 13, 2019 at 2:27 AM Thanks, Arthur. I didn't even know where it would go when I first started writing.

Paul Callus January 12, 2019 at 4:03 PM You have a creative and imaginative mind, Carolyn! Gosh...I'm now looking at my hands, just in case one finger has gone missing! You need no good luck here...a winner in my eyes! Hugs // paul Carolyn Devonshire January 13, 2019 at 2:26 AM Had some fun with this, Paul. I'd like to write a screenplay on it. Thanks for reading!