Epic Gothic tale
A somewhat artist friend of mine asked me stately meet to dine
And sure enough without no quiver a horse drawn carriage had delivered
Me from ones abode so cold draped my shoulders cloak of bold
And unsurprised by candle light the carriage master cracked a strike
The two strong steeds did quickly carry
My bones and skin were yet to marry
Over cobbled roads then tracks
The city lights had faded black
Snorting nostrils flailed saliva
Relentless whip cracks braced the driver
Headlong fast grazed open fields
We race toward Lord Manderbeels
As two makes one as one makes right it often takes the chance that might
We share alone our own appraisal and fortune dine at others tables
When chance arose and of thine breast a nervous beating filled my chest
As if a mist or sprite dust moon had somehow faded through my gloom
A taste of dread and fiery leather
An ink well smudge contained by letter
An endless longing plagued my head a crimson sun of ghost white red
Over the fields on horse drawn wheels
Over the fields to Manderbeels
The stately gates my eyes did view I recollect I thought of you
Hidden deeply in your slumber lovelorn breathless shrouded lover
Inside your hidden solemn shrine your fruitless cherry lips of thine
Do speak no more laments of larks or madrigals to melt my heart
No longer shall our limbs entwine
No languished kiss caress nor sign
No lightning bolt to break my thunder
Just I alone without my lover
I alone fast horse drawn wheels
I alone to Manderbeels
The horses failed in such a hurry the drivers face a mud splashed slurry
He broke the reigns and bowed his hat with eloquence of streamlined rat
A murmured whisper broke my ear ” beg pardon sir, we are now here”
A step thrown down with such disparage as I descended from the carriage
Yet time stopped still, no cogs no wheels
Time stood still at Manderbeels
At first perhaps on casional morn the frost may first concur with dawn
Yet as its sullen glint line crashes sunlight burns away its ashes
Leaving lost abundant feelings time for thoughts and time for dreamings
Freezing sorrow ice melt frost ultraviolet fire bleached loss
Infiltrate the hair line cracks go forth the days of looking back
Tense the strength of hidden pleasure unaware its at our leisure
Unaware its at our heels
Unaware at Manderbeels
Now as ones psyche twinkles bright alas that God forsaken night
It had but found its cloak and cane and swiftly parted from my brain
It found its hat in such a hurry it gave no time for fear or worry
It gave no time yet half insane broke all but glimpse of earthly chains
It rattled through my bones precisely
Joyous,unashamed,unsightly
It left my body grasping leather
Wind swept hairline seeking weather
My soul would rather taste the steel
My soul slipped grasp at Manderbeels
And now I stand but steps away
I’ve often wondered,wished and prayed
For chance the chance I have right now
Remove the frown lines from thine brow
Dissolve all trace of shallow grave
Unmask the earth from china glaze
Connect the eyes of thine eyes gaze
Exchange the sallow silky haze
No cataracts to blind loves wonder
No withered lilies bending under
A silhouette made turn my heels
The silhouette of Manderbeel
Inverted night lights shine my face
Informing eager eyes that gaze
That i show fear from mine eyes gaze
And bitter sweet regrets that save
All tortures bitten from thine grace
As eloquent as new thread lace
Hello old friend,my blood congealed
Hello old friend spake Manderbeel
I follow him by beckoned light
Ascending stairs of marble white
Until ten pass we reach a door
The entrance I where once before
Did enter to the house of pain
As dripping feelings fill my brain
As tender teardrops weep with rain
And all that lays as naked chained
Go through the door let past times heal
Release your thoughts of Manderbeel
As now as sure as I stand cold
A hand shake smile with grey roots rolled
Has shaken tightest grip of bold
And shivered through my very soul
As turning arm does point past fold
To garnished splendour draped with gold
And finery from all the globe
“Come grace my table Andrew Peel”
“It’s been a while Lord Manderbeel”
As I stand as if to stare adjacent to my out pulled chair
I realise what now is there underneath the candles glare
The licking dancing burning flames shine like diamonds filled with pain
As I alone connect my pain to languished orchards in thy name
And prey inside to break remains of tortured souls that writhe in pain
Whilst chained to tables naked drained
“Sit my boy”, the banquet squealed
A gong banged loud at Manderbeels
The eunuch man-boy trayed in wine
Of two out three I did decline
Until my pallet settled fine
A taste accustomed to my spine,a laudanum laced cherry brine
The same I had that other time
When lips so sweet I did confine to everlasting blackened night
And prayed that she returned to light
As feelings burst the wretched plight that chase my senses through delight
The angered madness lost insight and crimsoned eyelids filled with sprite
A silver knife wrapped tight white steel
I aim my lunge for Manderbeel
He gazed then grasped my knuckled lance
“Andrew Peel you are entranced,your eyes have glazed your pupils prance
like times before when lovers danced awash with juice from poppy branch
your clouded judgement longs to reel
your smile has cracked with tinctured zeal
inside our realm we have to deal the cruellest cards so we can feel
the bleeding that the tortured seal
and turn our backs on all that’s real”
“Refrain”
“Refrain”
Her fate lay sealed
“Refrain”
“Refrain”
Gasped Manderbeel.
Dale Clement 2013.
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