The Hunchback

To a tattered-clothed monster, the city of lights looked so dim,
only stone-faced gargoyles never grimmaced at the sight of him,
everyday, with hideous cries of horror, voices rose and rang out,
it may have been his tears running down from the rainspout.

A human creature who can easily fit in with festivals of fools,
his grotesque, deformed face deemed unfit by society's rules,
while this toll reverberates within his ears, until torn apart,
a song, so beautiful, still plays from the depths of his heart.

People turn their gaze skyward to breathtaking cathedral towers,
where a lone, strong back peals the bells to pass by the hours,
a golden melody floats from the heavens to the town below,
his outward gentle nature only the gypsies and peasants know.

At night, he peacefully slumbers with a picturesque view of Paris,
for, in his dreams alone, no one could ever mock or embarrass,
wishes to dance, to taste the cuisine, in this sanctuary are hidden,
still he carries on a hope, a longing, for a freedom forbidden.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Bickerstaffe Avatar
January 14, 2016 at 7:25 PM
A remarkable piece about one of society's forgotten people... would that they just take a chance and talk to him... I think they might be pleasantly surprised. Well done Kelly! Best wishes, Keith
Deschler Avatar
January 29, 2016 at 8:46 PM
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment so kindly on my poem, Keith. Its appreciated!
Guzzi Avatar
August 6, 2015 at 10:01 PM
A well constructed polished verse. Thank you for entering the contest. Light & Love
Deschler Avatar
August 11, 2015 at 4:48 PM
You're welcome, Debbie. This contest was a joy to write for. I was pleased to place in 3rd :)
Onclaud Avatar
August 5, 2015 at 2:41 PM
belated congrats, kelly.. this is incredible!.. huggs
Deschler Avatar
August 10, 2015 at 1:42 PM
Thank you for reading and commenting so kindly, Nette. I appreciate it very much :)
Guillermo - Fraser Avatar
August 5, 2015 at 2:24 AM
Kelly, am late to congratulate you with this well-written poem... imagery is incredibly vivid!!!~Olive ELoisa =')1
Deschler Avatar
August 9, 2015 at 7:33 PM
Thank you for reading and commenting so kindly, Olive Eloisa. I do appreciate it :)
Lawless Avatar
August 4, 2015 at 9:48 PM
Congrats on the win Kelly
Deschler Avatar
August 9, 2015 at 7:20 PM
Thank you very much, John :)
Inman Avatar
August 4, 2015 at 8:50 AM
Sad story; Beautiful poem
Deschler Avatar
August 8, 2015 at 2:27 PM
Thank you for your kind comments, James. I do appreciate it :)
Allison Avatar
August 4, 2015 at 6:50 AM
brilliant imagery Kelly - many congrats on your win:-) hugs Jan xx
Deschler Avatar
August 8, 2015 at 2:13 PM
Thanks for reading and commenting so kindly, Jan... hugs :)
May Avatar
August 4, 2015 at 5:44 AM
Hi Kelly....You chose a good subject for this theme...Awesome write...Congrats on a great win...hugs
Deschler Avatar
August 8, 2015 at 1:57 PM
Hi Joseph, thank you for reading and commenting so kindly. I do appreciate it... This contest was really a joy to write for :)
A. Sharma Avatar
August 4, 2015 at 1:02 AM
Congrats on ur winning awesome write Kelly! Wonderful imagery!
Deschler Avatar
August 8, 2015 at 1:35 PM
Thank you for the kind congrats and comments, Dr. Upma... This contest was really a joy to write for :)
A  Avatar
August 4, 2015 at 12:29 AM
Kelly, Congratulations, on your win in Debbie's contest. Love SKAT
Wigley Avatar
August 4, 2015 at 12:14 AM
A great write and full of feeling, Kelly. Congratulations on your win. Viv x
Deschler Avatar
August 8, 2015 at 1:13 PM
Thank you for reading and commenting so kindly, Viv. I appreciate it :)
Kendrick Avatar
August 3, 2015 at 5:19 PM
Very good descriptive work about the Hunchback..I enjoyed reading this very well composed work..Thanks for the visit to my page.Sara
Deschler Avatar
August 6, 2015 at 11:02 PM
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Sara. Thank you for visiting my page, as well :)
Muideen Avatar
August 3, 2015 at 12:33 AM
Powerful well constructed, your write swims eloquence in the heart of the readers, I love how you penned it, it is lovely and excellence..............A.M.
Deschler Avatar
August 6, 2015 at 10:47 PM
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, A.M.! Thank you for reading and commenting so kindly :)
Sathasivam Avatar
August 2, 2015 at 1:49 AM
Beautifully crafted poem. Well penned. Enjoyed reading it. TFS
Deschler Avatar
August 6, 2015 at 1:05 PM
Thank you for reading and commenting, Ravi. I do appreciate it!
Dietrich Avatar
August 1, 2015 at 10:04 PM
wow, Kelly is this for the Bells contest? My mind went to this ringer of the bells when I first saw the contest. Love your writing on this one.
Deschler Avatar
August 5, 2015 at 3:10 PM
Yes it is, and I was pleased to place 3rd in Debbie's contest. The hunchback was my first thought for the bells theme, too... Thank you for reading and commenting so kindly, Andrea. It means a lot to get a "wow" from you :)
A. Sharma Avatar
July 30, 2015 at 11:43 PM
Amazing pen u hv Kelly, masterfully crafted poem! Why cant there be equality for all?
Deschler Avatar
August 4, 2015 at 10:30 PM
Thank you so much, Dr. Upma... I wish that everyone would not judge a book by it's cover. I think this world would be a much better place if they didn't!
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