Notes About The Poem

The Haunted Bride

In the night's chilling air a phantom figure, drags itself from
The watery edge of the river bank, emerging, rising upward
From beneath the moonlight's illumination, she is free, to walk
The earth's spiritual plain of existence once more.
In soaked layers shifts, of tatters whiten lace, the corporeal
Image moves across the old chapel's courtyard.
Slowly this deaden heart of the betrayed, shuffles through
The fallen autumn leaves, crunching them under the weight, of
Her drenched wedding gown.
The haunted bride, carries a wilted bouquet of for-get-me-nots,
As she weeps, walking down the aisle of past regrets.
This virgin maiden, sounds a low mournful sobbing, that echoes
Against the marble ruins, of a dilapidated church steeple.
Lifting skeletal limbs, step by step, this bride of
Desolation climbs unto the threshold of condemnation.
Her wailing screams grow louder, and louder with each
Movements, begging, pleading for salvation's penitence.
But in the Lord's realm, the haunted bride has violated the sacred
Laws of God, so is she doomed for all eternity, to repeat her final,
Moments of life.
Wearing the veiled shroud of death, beauty's once fare,
Is nothing more than illusion's shadow vision of the forsaken.
A victim of abandonment's fall from grace, for consumed by
Sorrows pain, did she take her own life, in limbo she is the accursed.
Slowly descending in sheer remorse, her tears cascade
Downwards, staining the holy soil therein, her unkempt train
Trails behind this ivory phantom, with muddy green
Seaweed woven amongst the antique lace.
Cold watery waves crash against the murky shore,
A foreboding eerie mist lingers up top the rippling lake,
One last air's stale breathe she does inhale, as again life's
Essence leaves, become just exploding bubbles,
Popping at the water’s surface.
Here the haunted bride so does rest, in a fathom's aquatic crypt,
Beneath the dark abyss of no return.

BY: CHERYL ANNA DUNN
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Callus Avatar
September 27, 2015 at 12:03 PM
I feel sorry for this haunted bride who is condemned for eternity in the 'dark abyss of no return'. As usual your imagery gives value to your descriptive creativity. Top marks to you, Cherl. // paul
Breidenthal Avatar
September 26, 2015 at 1:08 PM
These would be great stories to read aloud for entertainment. I really like the eeriness of this one, as well as the photos you have chosen. Some of my favorite lines from this beautiful piece: "Lifting skeletal limbs, step by step, this bride of Desolation climbs unto the threshold of condemnation." Awesome wording there! As always, a pleasure to read from you! Always, Laura
Tor Avatar
September 25, 2015 at 10:56 PM
Incredible write Cheri. I was gripped through the whole write. Loved your intense details. All your words cleverly set the mood. This one is a well deserved 7. Congratulations.
Raha Avatar
September 25, 2015 at 11:41 AM
This is spectacular!!!! Not only you've managed to describe this haunted bride's exposition in intricate detail but also there is the foreboding sense of anguish that lingers long after her departure.Straight into fav.
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