The Curse

At the sound of the knock, Mac opened the door,
And there on the porch stood his friend LeBours.
“I came at your call as fast as I dare.”
“You’re here at last, that’s all I care.”

Mac paused to clear this throat and said:
“I think tonight I shall be dead.”
“I think what you need to clear your mind
Is a smoke and a drink of your finest wine.”

With that, his friend stepped through the door,
And what could he do but follow LeBours.
“The curse of my family is burned in the wall.
Read it, please, it will tell you all.”

“It’s really quite a simple verse.”
They slid back the panel and read the curse:
An ancient crime that reeks with mettle.
An ancient score too late to settle.
A friend had helped the life that flew
So now who dies is one and two.

“The point, I fear, I cannot see….”
“It means there’s death for you and me!”
“I asked you here so we can fight
And keep a watch throughout the night.”

“Dear Mac,” said Le Bours, “fear not your ghost.
Bring us a drink and we’ll have a toast.”
So saying, he settled himself in a chair
And watched the shadows that gathered there.

Mac walked slowly from the room
And disappeared in the musty gloom.
He carried the drinks back through the door
And couldn’t believe what he saw on the floor:

He downed a glass to clear his head,
 For across the room, LeBours lay dead.
The tray and wine crashed to the floor, 
Mac was needed in his role no more.

Now the room grew still and dim
For late last night, it had gotten him.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Cohen Avatar
February 23, 2020 at 8:41 PM
Awesome! I think it was the right decision "to poem it."
Bush Avatar
February 23, 2020 at 8:43 PM
Thanks so much, Eric.
Turnbull Avatar
October 17, 2018 at 12:24 AM
Downed a glass to clear his head......brilliant.
Bush Avatar
October 17, 2018 at 9:51 AM
Thanks for stopping by, Greig. I have plenty of head clearing concoctions myself;)
Krutsinger Avatar
September 16, 2018 at 11:23 PM
Welcome to Poetry Soup. It is such a great story, held my interest from start to finish. Nicely told, kind of Edgar Allen like.
Bush Avatar
September 17, 2018 at 10:00 AM
Thanks, Caren, I already feel at home here. I've been an Edgar Allen Poe kinda girl since childhood.
Lindley Avatar
September 7, 2018 at 5:25 AM
Loved reading this very interesting and most creative piece my friend. You did such an excellent job spinning this tale. A fav... I like very good dark poetry.
Bush Avatar
September 7, 2018 at 9:59 AM
Thanks, Robert. The darker the better:)
Bush Avatar
September 1, 2018 at 4:50 PM
This was originally supposed to be a short story but couldn't get it together. So I poemed it.
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