Shhh—don’t you make a single little sound—
You, my dear friend, will hear how this went down.
You may not want to go a single round,
But you, kind sir, will know how this went down.
I was his...um...partner—his solid ground—
That is how it all started going down.
Stop rolling around like you are a hound—
You need to listen to how it went down.
Hare’s the name—you know!—which is why you’re bound;
You’re here now—hearing how it all went down.
A guy died—poor bloke—laid there like a mound—
What to do we asked that night it went down.
It came quick—the thought to pawn him around—
Brought him to Knox...that’s how it all went down.
Eight quid each, we realized more could be found—
Bodies that is—it’s how it all went down.
Stop it—piggy—don’t make a bloody sound;
I’m gonna demonstrate how this went down!
See, Burke—my partner—the sharpest around
Picked out the weakest ones and they went down.
I held them, see, blocked their mouth, nose—no sound;
Like this here, you pasty bloke, it went down.
Takes awhile—you’ll see—have to keep them bound
Till there is no sound and their lights went down.
Nope, not quite time for you to be gravebound—
One more thing to say ‘bout how it went down—
Sixteen people, Burked like this for eight pound,
Every stinking night a murder went down.
Let me sit, place my weight here—your chest mound—
Now you will feel how it really went down.
They caught—hung—Burkey, no grave in the ground;
Sold him out—public dissection went down.
This is it—getting dark—hear one more sound.
I sold out Burke; immunity went down.
Before you fade, hear—my scheme is sound—
You’re the next one to help me get eight pound.
© 2026 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
First published on tristanrobertlange.com, September 14, 2026.
Tittu
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The series continues next Monday with:
The Secrets of Washington
-
Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: September 14th, 2026 07:27
- Comment from author about the poem: This is the first part of Season 2 in my series, Devilishly Dreadful. For Macabre Monday. Written as as ghazal and inspired by the infamous crimes of Burke and Hare, this poem reimagines their legacy through a dark dramatic monologue of violence, betrayal, and the terrible price once placed on the human body. Visit https://soundcloud.com/tristan-robert-lange/devilishly-dreadful-eight-1 to hear a live reading of "Eight Pound" at a Moonstone Poetry open reading at Fergie’s Pub in Philadelphia on September 2, 2026.
- Category: Gothic
- Views: 16
- Users favorite of this poem: nephilim56 ( Norman Dickson)
- In collections: Devilishly Dreadful: A Macabre Monday Series.
Offline)
Comments7
Dark and morbid it deals with death bodies and the making of money off corpses. Well done my friend
Thank you, Soren. I wanted the horror to come through both the killings and the casual transaction surrounding them. Once life becomes merchandise, atrocity starts sounding like ordinary business. Much appreciated, my friend. 🩸🪙🕯️🙏
Nothing personal just business they say. Most welcome my friend
Very true, Soren. No offense, right?!?! 🤣
An awful dark joke - if he killed for 8 pound today, it wouldn't get him far. Doh! lol.
Orchi...inflation has absolutely devastated the murder-for-anatomy industry! Hare would need at least three victims just to afford lunch. 🩸🪙🕯️🙏
guys ,if you visiting Edimburgh be sure to stop by and see our friend Burke at the college of medicine museum !
Excellent travel advice, Lorenz...admission costs considerably less than eight quid, and the guest of honor is guaranteed to be in! Just don’t mention Hare...it still gets under his skin. 🩸🪙🕯️🙏
Hare was released .
Indeed, Lorenz...his immunity is precisely what makes this imagined continuation possible. He betrayed Burke, walked away, and here resumes the trade. 🩸🪙🕯️🙏
definite fav
That means a lot, Norman! I couldn’t ask for a better reception to the season premiere. Deeply appreciated, my friend. 🩸🪙🕯️🙏
most welcome, great read
Quite the spooky thrill ride!
Thanks so much, Fränz! I’m thrilled the premiere pulled you into Hare’s murderous little performance. Much appreciated, my friend. 🩸🪙🕯️🙏
This was (I hesitate to add ‘nicely’) paced and drew me in, Tristan. Aware of B&H as a historical fact, I was unaware of their respective fates. In a move which should be emulated across a wide selection of societal ills (free drugs?) many folks such as me offer our corpses to any medical establishment which might need them gratis.
Thank you, Dave. Offering one’s remains for medical education is an extraordinarily generous final contribution. Your broader suggestion has merit too…meet human needs openly and safely, and several profitable forms of misery suddenly lose their clientele. 🩸🪙🕯️🙏
No generosity involved Tristan. It’s garbage disposal time. My bits and pieces go to recycle. Avoids the funeral costs racket.
Tremendous work. Tis the season. Vivid and sharp.
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