Crawlspace
beyond the vibrations
of words,
past great arcs of light -
as still
as crooked nails,
like mist
in a carcass heavy night.
One step
without trace
into velvet waves
as stormclouds brew -
simmering slowly
on a bare horizon,
hanging bats
the death's head crew.
Shadows pool
beneath turtle steps
gathering light
and soul in one -
the moon dims
like a callussed pearl,
shrouded orb
becomes black sun...
@Steven Francis poems 2009
Thursday 19 November 2009
Tuesday 29 September 2009
With Love, Or With Ruin
The Scene:
A hillside in Carmarthen.
The summer has grown a fever of flowers across the land, a slight breeze make them hicup like drunk elves.
Birds sweep around the clear blue sky and a stream bubbles on its way.
Two lovers sit in a clearing on the edge of a forgotten quarry. Behind them the mouth of a dis-used mine shaft, frozen in a forever yawn.
Tophatt Handcuff:
An unhappy feeling! Once the three feathers of Wales grew from my heart, now it pumps only blooded thorns.
Miss Lucy Unseen:
Why say you this to me?
The flowers on the hill still smile at you, the birds still come down from the Heavens to feed from your hand. Is this a lie?
Tophatt Handcuff (looking away)
No! But do not gamble on me, my heart is a very broken, a very senile toy.
Miss Lucy Unseen:
Do you hide tears? Or is self pity that shrouds your face?
If it is the former, I am confused and sorry but if the latter of my question rings true then why do we love?
Tophatt Handcuff (looking back into her eyes)
But for tears of joy these eyes are desert sands and I long ago discarded pity of any kind from my bones.
(takes her hand)
When first I found you, beautiful you, my soul fluttered and skipped into fantasy. Like God’s touch you shone and in an instant this heart became yours!
Miss Lucy Unseen:
As still it beats my prince.
Tophatt Handcuff (stroking her cheek)
Ah, such rose tinted skin! It even softens my fingernails.
Miss Lucy Unseen (pulling away)
Do not shoot hollow niceties at me until you have explained the ache in your soul! I thought unhappiness had long been banished from your mind, yet you speak as if black clouds haunt your dreams like beetles in a fog.
Tophatt Handcuff:
They did and now my dreams are lost. Let mr have your attention in the event it may clear your doubts.
(Lucy lays back on the soft grass to listen)
Tophatt Handcuff:
The day I fell for you was as blessed to me as the stars. The love I felt drugged my heart so deeply I was blinded from the truth of real romance, such was your presence with its potent fantasy effect. I had drank from no other well and in an instant I was husband material.
What I, in structured confusion is telling you dear Lucy, is for the two years we have shared I have hidden from utter commitment, perhaps even life, and now the time has come when I feel I must ask you to be wife, I fear you may drown the gentleman for who knows when the bitter rain will fall?
Miss Lucy Unseen:
Speak to me without riddle not like a caged bird! You say you suffer at our future?
(Tear falls from her eye)
A hillside in Carmarthen.
The summer has grown a fever of flowers across the land, a slight breeze make them hicup like drunk elves.
Birds sweep around the clear blue sky and a stream bubbles on its way.
Two lovers sit in a clearing on the edge of a forgotten quarry. Behind them the mouth of a dis-used mine shaft, frozen in a forever yawn.
Tophatt Handcuff:
An unhappy feeling! Once the three feathers of Wales grew from my heart, now it pumps only blooded thorns.
Miss Lucy Unseen:
Why say you this to me?
The flowers on the hill still smile at you, the birds still come down from the Heavens to feed from your hand. Is this a lie?
Tophatt Handcuff (looking away)
No! But do not gamble on me, my heart is a very broken, a very senile toy.
Miss Lucy Unseen:
Do you hide tears? Or is self pity that shrouds your face?
If it is the former, I am confused and sorry but if the latter of my question rings true then why do we love?
Tophatt Handcuff (looking back into her eyes)
But for tears of joy these eyes are desert sands and I long ago discarded pity of any kind from my bones.
(takes her hand)
When first I found you, beautiful you, my soul fluttered and skipped into fantasy. Like God’s touch you shone and in an instant this heart became yours!
Miss Lucy Unseen:
As still it beats my prince.
Tophatt Handcuff (stroking her cheek)
Ah, such rose tinted skin! It even softens my fingernails.
Miss Lucy Unseen (pulling away)
Do not shoot hollow niceties at me until you have explained the ache in your soul! I thought unhappiness had long been banished from your mind, yet you speak as if black clouds haunt your dreams like beetles in a fog.
Tophatt Handcuff:
They did and now my dreams are lost. Let mr have your attention in the event it may clear your doubts.
(Lucy lays back on the soft grass to listen)
Tophatt Handcuff:
The day I fell for you was as blessed to me as the stars. The love I felt drugged my heart so deeply I was blinded from the truth of real romance, such was your presence with its potent fantasy effect. I had drank from no other well and in an instant I was husband material.
What I, in structured confusion is telling you dear Lucy, is for the two years we have shared I have hidden from utter commitment, perhaps even life, and now the time has come when I feel I must ask you to be wife, I fear you may drown the gentleman for who knows when the bitter rain will fall?
Miss Lucy Unseen:
Speak to me without riddle not like a caged bird! You say you suffer at our future?
(Tear falls from her eye)
With Love, Or With Ruin (prt II)
Tophatt Handcuff:
Do not spill sorrow, I only suffer at the sound of bells. They clang like tombstones every evening, but it is visions of you that soothes my eyes to sleep.
Miss Lucy Unseen:
Then I might be your devil in an angels disguise.
(He shakes his head, not taking eyes from her)
Tophatt Handcuff:
No wait!!
Miss Lucy Unseen:
I have waited! Waited like fury keen on vengence, and now you kiss me not with rainbows but with thunder and deceit!
Never was I so hidden from acts of treachery! And never so hurt by shame!
Why did you not make the waters clear at the dawn of our love? You would have saved me from the cowards song you are about to sing!
(Tophatt stands up, looking down at the village at the foot of the hill)
Tophatt Handcuff:
Look at this world Lucy. With its wars and hatred. Do you think it deserves the love we have? I say this now with the last shred of clean skin on my tongue, and yes, I do say it with shame! This world wasn’t meant for love, it is a battlefield, a fist of death and nothing more.
(Lucy giggles)
Miss Lucy Unseen:
From a caged bird to a drowning fish! Your love has withered along with hope.
Tophatt Handcuff (looking back)
If that were so, my body would have also.
Miss Lucy Unseen:
Then why not make me your wife?
Tophatt Handcuff:
I cannot. Not in this world.
Miss Lucy Unseen:
What strange ‘I love yous’ from a simple man. I have kissed those lips which shape your words and I recognise the voice which gives them volume, but to the person who speaks I am stranger. Is it death you want of us?
Tophatt Handcuff (sitting next to her again)
Only a madman dies for death. I want us to go beyond where love is a real harmony, free from the cruel shackles of this land. It is only death if one stops breathing and our hearts are much too strong. We can do it Lucy, swim amongst the moons, drink eternal wine and be blessed.
(Lucy looks up into the sky. The sun is still strong but the birds have gone)
Miss Lucy Unseen:
What if there is nothing beyond but a grave as dark and still as the mine shaft there? Look into its heart!
(turns to the mine)
Do you see paradise? I see only a grim unkown, and after we pledge our love with death maybe that is all there is!
Tophatt Handcuff:
No! There is another life beyond this drab existence. A life for peace, angels and sweet melodies. Sometimes when night falls I can see it behind the stars. A place for love.
(Takes Lucy’s hand)
Come with me dear! Come to that place and let us be crowned in golden light!
(Lucy looks into his eyes)
Miss Lucy Unseen:
I see death in those eyes. Death and doubt. God knows I love you, love you with every pinch of my pulse but the man you were before today has changed into a dark sun. There is no longer comfort, only coldness. Die if you want, but I’ll not follow you into a empty grave.
Tophatt Handcuff (stands up)
Then it will be so. Today will become the birthday of my sleep. Your love for me has shrivelled like corn, therefore I must leave.
Miss Lucy Unseen:
Which I believe with hindsight was your original plan.
Tophatt Handcuff (pointing towards the quarry edge)
Twenty yards and one step further from where you sit is freedom. I ask you a final time. Will you join me in paradise?
Miss Lucy Unseen:
No. I will not.
Tophatt Handcuff (kneeling in front of her)
I will always love you Lucy. When I take the last step I shall fall with your name on my lips and wait for you in the beyond.
(reaches into his pocket)
Take this ring and be reminded the space inside its gold is eternal. I will not be amongst stars or running with comets but I will be waiting for the whisper of your last breath. I swear this.
(He leans and kisses her, stands up and walks to the quarry edge. Arms raised he plunges to his death. Lucy gasps, holds her chest and gets up)
Miss Lucy Unseen:
Another soul gone to seek fool’s gold.
(Looks to the sky)
Does this confused and vulgar act stain my hands? Will it fill me with guilt if I love again? Will the ghost of this deed haunt my days?
(Walks to the quarry edge and looks down on Tophatts body)
I think not. This death was driven by anguish and carried out by the torment pf a crippled love. I will not curse myself with this foolish act. I shall live.
(Picks a flower and throws it over the edge)
Curtain falls
The End
@Steven Francis 1996
Do not spill sorrow, I only suffer at the sound of bells. They clang like tombstones every evening, but it is visions of you that soothes my eyes to sleep.
Miss Lucy Unseen:
Then I might be your devil in an angels disguise.
(He shakes his head, not taking eyes from her)
Tophatt Handcuff:
No wait!!
Miss Lucy Unseen:
I have waited! Waited like fury keen on vengence, and now you kiss me not with rainbows but with thunder and deceit!
Never was I so hidden from acts of treachery! And never so hurt by shame!
Why did you not make the waters clear at the dawn of our love? You would have saved me from the cowards song you are about to sing!
(Tophatt stands up, looking down at the village at the foot of the hill)
Tophatt Handcuff:
Look at this world Lucy. With its wars and hatred. Do you think it deserves the love we have? I say this now with the last shred of clean skin on my tongue, and yes, I do say it with shame! This world wasn’t meant for love, it is a battlefield, a fist of death and nothing more.
(Lucy giggles)
Miss Lucy Unseen:
From a caged bird to a drowning fish! Your love has withered along with hope.
Tophatt Handcuff (looking back)
If that were so, my body would have also.
Miss Lucy Unseen:
Then why not make me your wife?
Tophatt Handcuff:
I cannot. Not in this world.
Miss Lucy Unseen:
What strange ‘I love yous’ from a simple man. I have kissed those lips which shape your words and I recognise the voice which gives them volume, but to the person who speaks I am stranger. Is it death you want of us?
Tophatt Handcuff (sitting next to her again)
Only a madman dies for death. I want us to go beyond where love is a real harmony, free from the cruel shackles of this land. It is only death if one stops breathing and our hearts are much too strong. We can do it Lucy, swim amongst the moons, drink eternal wine and be blessed.
(Lucy looks up into the sky. The sun is still strong but the birds have gone)
Miss Lucy Unseen:
What if there is nothing beyond but a grave as dark and still as the mine shaft there? Look into its heart!
(turns to the mine)
Do you see paradise? I see only a grim unkown, and after we pledge our love with death maybe that is all there is!
Tophatt Handcuff:
No! There is another life beyond this drab existence. A life for peace, angels and sweet melodies. Sometimes when night falls I can see it behind the stars. A place for love.
(Takes Lucy’s hand)
Come with me dear! Come to that place and let us be crowned in golden light!
(Lucy looks into his eyes)
Miss Lucy Unseen:
I see death in those eyes. Death and doubt. God knows I love you, love you with every pinch of my pulse but the man you were before today has changed into a dark sun. There is no longer comfort, only coldness. Die if you want, but I’ll not follow you into a empty grave.
Tophatt Handcuff (stands up)
Then it will be so. Today will become the birthday of my sleep. Your love for me has shrivelled like corn, therefore I must leave.
Miss Lucy Unseen:
Which I believe with hindsight was your original plan.
Tophatt Handcuff (pointing towards the quarry edge)
Twenty yards and one step further from where you sit is freedom. I ask you a final time. Will you join me in paradise?
Miss Lucy Unseen:
No. I will not.
Tophatt Handcuff (kneeling in front of her)
I will always love you Lucy. When I take the last step I shall fall with your name on my lips and wait for you in the beyond.
(reaches into his pocket)
Take this ring and be reminded the space inside its gold is eternal. I will not be amongst stars or running with comets but I will be waiting for the whisper of your last breath. I swear this.
(He leans and kisses her, stands up and walks to the quarry edge. Arms raised he plunges to his death. Lucy gasps, holds her chest and gets up)
Miss Lucy Unseen:
Another soul gone to seek fool’s gold.
(Looks to the sky)
Does this confused and vulgar act stain my hands? Will it fill me with guilt if I love again? Will the ghost of this deed haunt my days?
(Walks to the quarry edge and looks down on Tophatts body)
I think not. This death was driven by anguish and carried out by the torment pf a crippled love. I will not curse myself with this foolish act. I shall live.
(Picks a flower and throws it over the edge)
Curtain falls
The End
@Steven Francis 1996
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