The Castle In the Gloom
On Devon’s moors I found myself
walking to clear my head,
to shake off loss for just a bit,
and see a color other than red,
feel something other than dead.
A fog surrounded me that day,
but something stood within the gray.
It rose up high behind the mist,
a shadow only half-seen,
robust and solid in its build,
with hints of mossy green,
Like an aged, medieval dream…
How could this be? And yet I knew,
there stood a castle in the gloom.
Never had there been one before
in this quiet, desolate place.
I knew not where it came from,
if was even of time and space,
and yet closer to it I paced,
Then stopped cold when I heard a cry,
I knew that voice! My Lorelei!
Frozen at the sound, I gasped,
what I heard could not be.
My dearest was dead two months now,
cancer had taken her from me,
but the soft cries made me believe.
I sprinted hard, stumbling much,
my darling wife I longed to touch…
But as I neared, the mist shifted,
the castle faded, then was gone.
On my right I saw it once again,
far afield, the distance long,
but for her I would press on.
The castle moved as if on feet,
forward and back, ever so fleet.
Yet still I heard her yearning call,
and pressed the changing track.
Along the way a weight lifted,
lightness came to my back,
as if some burden now I lacked.
But I paid no heed to pain or strife,
I only cared to find my wife.
It mattered not, the other folks,
who walked out on the moor.
They clustered around a supine form,
but to their thoughts I was inured,
for Lorelei I must endure.
Lighter still came each long step,
but I haven’t reached the castle yet…
Yes, I see it! Now I see her,
a faint shape on the castle wall.
The cry keeps coming to my ear,
I cannot waiver, flag, or fall,
even if I have to crawl,
I’m coming, dear, I’ll be there soon,
I will reach that castle in the gloom.
Copyright © David Welch | Year Posted 2017
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