A reminder to extend an olive branch… where possible.
Let us sup of the dignity of kindness and humility…
Under the towering shadow of the guillotine
the air thick with dread and whispered prayers
a young seamstress stands, trembling yet resolute.
She peers through the iron bars, eyes wide
seeing the relentless crowd, faces masked with rage and glee.
The Revolutionary Tribunal roars its final verdict
echoing through the square, a grim symphony of justice and wrath.
Beside her, Sydney Carton, dishevelled yet calm,
his eyes meeting hers with a tender, reassuring gaze.
In his presence, she finds a sliver of comfort
a connection forged in the crucible of fate.
As they await their fate, the drumbeats grow louder
a relentless countdown to the final act.
The seamstress recalls her life in fragments
the needle's dance through fabric
the whispers of Parisian streets
now silenced by the Revolution's roar.
Carton, his heart heavy with unspoken love
sees in her eyes a mirror of his own redemption.
He speaks softly, his voice a balm to her fear
"Remember, our lives are more than this moment,
we endure in the hearts of those we leave behind."
The crowd surges, a sea of fervour and fanaticism
their cries merging with the drumbeats
a cacophony of hope and despair.
The seamstress grips Carton's hand
drawing strength from his quiet courage.
The scaffold, a dark spectre, looms ever closer
each step a heartbeat, a pulse in the silence.
She glances at the sky, a canvas of grey
and imagines the stars beyond, unseen but constant.
Her breath catches, a fleeting tremor
but her resolve steels, her spirit unyielding.
In her final moments, she stands tall
her bravery a beacon in the encroaching darkness.
The blade gleams, poised for its descent
but within her heart, a defiant flame burns bright.
Their shared fate, a monument to the enduring human spirit
resoluteness carved in the face of oblivion.
Even as the blade falls, her courage resonates
a poignant echo in the annals of time.
~ Nov.-Dec. 2024
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: January 6th, 2025 07:07
- Comment from author about the poem: A thinly veiled allusion inspired by passing conversations with Kevin Hulme on English Literature. ‘Hope it isn’t too heavy for the start of the year but perhaps inspire us to see through what’s worth the struggle. Or is there still room for tragic anti (?)heroism?
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 23
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange, Thad Wilk, Teddy.15, Cassie58
Offline)
Comments11
In this a hint of Dickens and a tale of two cities. Heroism is always inspirational and at the heart of many a poem. Well told and in poetic story form. Nicely done my friend
Thanks Soren 🙏🏻 Yes, that’s a snippet in poetry. I’m sure there are other worthy episodes and personages in that novel and they may grace our pages and visits some time allowing. 🙏🏻👍🏻🕊
A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens. Sydney Carton being the hero. Taking the place of his beloved’s husband. He also offered comfort to the seamstress before they both met their fate. What a book, what a celebration of English Literature and you have composed a very fine poem here, inspired by that classic. Well done arqios.
Thanks Cassie. Glad to have done the theme and characters some justice. Might probably have to vindicate Mr. Carton in a separate piece. 🙏🏻👍🏻🕊
You certainly should. He loved a woman with all his heart and soul and wanted her happiness above everything. When her husband was sentenced to death, he took his place. Now that’s what I call a love story. It would make a very fine poem:)
Now that sounds like a double dare!
It’s a challenge maybe 🙂
Got to get the nuts and bolts right on that one. It’s not feeling right yet… but needless to worry it shall one day be presented ☺️👍🏻🕊
An Ode to a classic giant and one of their books, i had to read in English Lit at school, and it is a lovely classic piece of poetry you have written, Great read
Glad to bring back literary memories by way of poetry 🙏🏻👍🏻🕊
You are very welcome
Excellent write
Thanks Tony 🙏🏻🕊
You're welcome
A wonderful rendering of Charles' Dickens's "A Tale of Two Cities" and the haunting picture of the Reign of Terror it presents. Not too heavy for my tastes friend. Well done on this...for real! 🌹👏
Thanks dear friend. Even the daily night scape is somehow dark. Glad you understand 🌷🙏🏻🕊👍🏻
A very touching and
poignant poem
and story on the book
A Tale of Two Cities! 📖
Poetic perfection flows
throughout each
wonderfully woven
poetic line!! 🏆
Thanks for sharing!! 🙏
Best regards ✌️ Thad
Cheers Thad, your kind words are mighty encouraging 🙏🏻🕊👍🏻
Such wonderful imagery if not a bit gory 🤣, usually I dislike reading epics but this had me on the edge of my seat, yes a wonderful tale of courage and a shout out to Dickens no less, kudos. Brilliantly written. 🌹
I do try not to go full on gory 😊 and epics have not been my strong suit but at times we gotta use it or lose it. I’m just glad that it was able to sustain readership. That in itself can be counted as a small victory. Thanks kindly 🙏🏻🕊👍🏻
lol 🤣
Powerful work. Sharp and vivid imagery.
Thanks Thomas! 🙏🏻🕊👍🏻
Wonderful words argios and that passage:
"Remember, our lives are more than this moment,
we endure in the hearts of those we leave behind."
is so meaningful.
Andy
Indeed they are Andy. Now I have an appetite to hear what the muse has brought in from the Isle! 🙏🏻🕊👍🏻
You really capture the feel of Dickens. A fine write.
Why thanks kindly, Tom. 🙏🏻 It’s quite an encouragement to receive this glowing response 🙏🏻👍🏻🕊
Oh, there is always room for tragic, heroism maybe not so much. "The scaffold, a dark spectre, looms ever closer" covers a lot of ground. Nice.
Thanks DWi, good to see you around the site 🙏🏻 Hope you’re having a great start to the year 👍🏻🕊
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