song of the hollow house

Heather T

 

 

 

umber dreams and hollow houses

lay hushed in dusk perfumed

vines of berries choke the porches

in lightless darkling mood

resigned to strangled surrender

 

the bramble holds me too

holds me too

me too

 

wan milky breast has turned to dust

the suckling lips gone pale

bleat a quivering lullaby

the barren cradle wails

wrapped in wraithweb the rocking chair

 

I cannot breech the veil

breech the veil

the veil

 

bent willows crow in sorrowsong

the path is overgrown

ghostprints lost grow indifferent moss

to suffocate the stone

wild briars bridle ages cold

 

the ivy wraps these bones

wraps these bones

these bones

 

beetles heavy with bitter board

stand sentinel until

bequeathed to worms the ghosts are left

to linger on the hill

withered hymn of hollow houses

 

soul sick lyric be still

lyric be still

be still

  • Author: Heather T (Offline Offline)
  • Published: July 18th, 2017 13:40
  • Comment from author about the poem: These old, abandoned houses are scattered all over in the forests of the rural countryside. I played in many as a child, which was likely not very safe. There was one in particular that I spent many hours in, reading letters left behind during World War 2.
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 72
  • Users favorite of this poem: Michael Edwards, Fay Slimm., whisperingquill.
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Comments9

  • Louis Gibbs

    I really like the echoe-verses interspersed between phrases in your fine poem, Heather. Clever, and well done!

    • Heather T

      Thank you, Louis. The echo of lives past is the song of these houses, once homes. I appreciate the well done!

    • Michael Edwards

      Just magical - wonderful use of a great language.

      • Heather T

        I'm delighted that you found magic here, and thank you for keeping it, Michael!

      • FredPeyer

        Well Heather, I can see, smell, and feel these old houses in your incredible poem, this 'withered hymn of hollow houses'!!!
        If you keep going like this I need to brush up on my superlative words

        • Heather T

          I love old homes, even the decrepit ones. So many stories waft from the walls, and one can't help but imagine the lost years. You can brush up on superlatives. Just make sure any expletives are properly placed, LOL! Thank you, my friend.

        • Fay Slimm.

          So evocative of brooding time when mirrored with imagery as moving as this makes such a triumph of excellent poetry. First rate writing Heather.

          • Heather T

            Thank you, dear Fay. I'd love the ability to travel to other countries where I could feel the weight of deeper ages among castles and ruins. I appreciate your eyes here.

          • kevin browne

            a very creative poignant poem which will sit in my heart for a while to come. I love this little gem and it's future. Heather T, you're a star.

          • Goldfinch60

            Good write and the verses between the stanzas work very well.

          • Renzi

            That is amazing. Again you brought me to a glorious place in my mind. You're golden 💓

          • whisperingquill

            I love the echoes in this its Orphic and melodious a tremendous write
            chimera in its trance .

          • WriteBeLight

            Very visual and so eloquent.



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