There are stairs,
scarce been used--
the smell of wood,
straight cut and new--
all of it built
quite recently, for you.
Didn't I tell you, baby,
I'd get you before a preacher one day?
Didn't I tell you, Lonesome,
that I'd find the words to make you stay?
I saw it all,
can't prove I lied--
in the case of those
who've lately died.
A ring means an unbroken circle,
a rope means a broken neck--
I knew one day I'd make you fall,
and dance, and turn--
first east, then west.
________
Izy at Real Toads says take her to an exotic location where you'd never want to go. All right. I think a gallows is fairly exotic and I certainly never want to end up there.
The title is taken from a traditional song of the same name. It goes, in part:
I never will believe what one man says
though his eyes be blue or brown--
unless he's swingin' from a scaffold high,
sayin', darlin' I can't come down.
Definitely twisted (pun intended)...
ReplyDeleterope us in with that open and leave us hanging in the end, why doncha. well, you actually didn't leave us hanging.
ReplyDelete"Didn't I tell you, baby,
ReplyDeleteI'd get you before a preacher one day?"
This entire poem made me smile. It had a certain uplifting "I told you so" feel to it. :-)
you are twisted - or your friend is twisting in the wind. :)
ReplyDelete"A ring means an unbroken circle. A rope means a broken neck." Only you would think of a gallows as a possible destination. I come in here like a hungry pup, eyeing the bowl, never quite knowing what is going to get served up:) I love that about you!
ReplyDelete"Know thyself?" If I knew myself, I'd run away.
ReplyDeleteJohann Wolfgang von Goethe
I fucking love you, cooks. Too clever. And always drenched in a unique voice of the narrator. You gotta be you, and I always glad to have your presence in the garden. Viva la
ReplyDeleteNothing like the sweet smell of vindication! Loved this - half song/ half victory dance.
ReplyDeleteYikes. This is the iciest revenge love song I think I've ever read. A hymn for Chocktaw Ridge. Penultimate stanza is pure fury.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love it!
ReplyDelete…wickedly clever! Such a "dance" partner I hope I never find! Read it three times …. why this leaves a smile on my face I have no idea :)
ReplyDeleteHangman hangman, slack on your rope awhile/I think I see my true love comin, comin from many a mile...yes, we've definitely lost the drama of execution in our sterile age--not that I mind, since you can recreate it flawlessly here, also sardonically, also ringing true on every note. Love the verse you quote at the end--how completely I agree.
ReplyDeletea whiff of revenge.. or maybe an icy blast... the whole poem rings with drama....
ReplyDeleteIs it good to love a poem so bad? Think so.
ReplyDeleteeek!
ReplyDeleteWhoa, Shay, you've done it again. Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteKnow what I always love about your posts? The things you list as "labels"! They're great: don't necessarily refer to the words in the poem, but definitely the feelings and implications.
Luv, K
Oh my goodness..love this! There seems to be a bitter of the bitter snark in me that loves to go dark. :)
ReplyDelete