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'Ghosts of the Guilded Hall..'
| Open Poetry #44 |
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'Ghosts of the Guilded Hall..' |
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sullivanthepoet.com Member
since 2007-06-28
Posts 154Devon, England |
Part I – ‘The Haunting..’ At once, within the half oped door, bare half a pace we’d ventured in; When stole across that oaken floor, to steal the breath and chill the skin; A cool as frost as any hoar, to speak of spectres there within. Swift gathered we within that hall, all hand on hand and in the round; Set each to ‘pon those spirits call, all ‘bout us now so closely wound. To bear as friend we one and all, upon this dark unholy ground. Twas then! That tragic shade appeared, three score her years in hempen blue; Bare shoulder high she timid neared, and begged us all she be brought through. But held we there for each afeared, what demons might her path pursue? Yet ‘fore this quand’ry made full sail, more pressing matters grim appeared; For o’er the minstrel’s galley rail, a spectral form now baleful peered. Its face all twist and deathly pale, asneer its cobwebbed goatee beard. This Jacobean phantom held, apprenticed it some ghostly sphere; As up two stairs each pace we pelled, our mind to box it from the rear. All speed to where we first beheld, for naught but glimpse it disappear. With hearts laid low all down we went, when reached our ears an infant’s cry; And there below, their duties bent, two serving maids did we espy. Though loud and swift our joint descent, they marked us not but melted by. Thus bearded we for all our toil, no single shade to shore our case; No pocket’s worth of spectral spoil, ‘Cept Mildred, lost, to our disgrace. When in our fear we had recoil, from daring her to show her face. And thus, our spirits fallen low, made we at last the Chamber Room; Whence struggled each therein to go, against some unseen hand of doom. As if within a spectral foe, forbade us pierce its vap’rous gloom. But forced we in and there awoke, a vipers’ pit of spectral works; As of our number; One did choke, while ’hind a ghostly noose man smirks. And there, its hearth, made black with smoke, wherein a deathly infant lurks. Once more; As in the ancient hall, frail infants’ cries beset our ears; And swift o’erwhelms us each and all, a young man’s ancient, mortal fears. As flanked by guards out through the hall, reluctant to the noose he steers. When sudden ‘pon an oaken board, ‘George P’ in misted script was scrawl; And with it drew, as one accord, across that portrait studded hall. Our gaze unwilling full toward, one solemn likeness hung its’ wall. All ‘bout its throat a spectral lash, in one mind’s eye did each perceive; And smote its cheek a savage gash, that nigh unto the bone laid cleave. That this be ‘George’ in cloak and sash, though name was none... Did all believe. © Sullivan the Poet 2008 Inspired by and drawn from (with some poetic licence) notes provided by the ‘Haunted Knights’- a Plymouth based paranormal investigation society; of their explorations and experiences of Plympton St. Maurice Guild Hall in Plymouth, Devon on October 25th 2008. Footnote: Owing to the pressures of meeting publishing deadlines and my ever growing number of reading engagements - it has sadly become necessary to reduce the number of sites and/or forums I contribute to... In the future therefore: Anyone wishing to continue following my work will find any and all my recent works not yet included in a collection under 'New Works' @ http://www.sullivanthepoet.co.uk... OR http://my.telegraph.co.uk/sullivan_the_poet OR http://affiliate.kickapps.com/72100/sullivanthepoet Let me wish good luck to all with your writings and a very happy and prosperous new year! |
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| © Copyright 2008 Sullivan - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Marc-Andre Senior Member
since 2008-12-07
Posts 501 |
Captivating! You weave the tale well, and your lines run as smoothly as silk. Well done. A Happy New Year to you too  Mark |
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YoungatHeart2 Member
since 2008-12-12
Posts 81 |
a follower of Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures this story gave me chills. Part 2?????? |
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sullivanthepoet.com Member
since 2007-06-28
Posts 154Devon, England |
Marc Andre... Why thank you Sir - I am delighted you found it worthy.. |
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sullivanthepoet.com Member
since 2007-06-28
Posts 154Devon, England |
Young at heart... I am flattered it gave you the chills - and yes there is a part two - but you will have to watch for it on http://www.sullivanthepoet.co.uk under 'New Works'. Unless you are on facebook in which case you can add me as a friend and I will send it to you when it is finished? |
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Robert Anderson New Member
since 2008-12-28
Posts 7Scotland |
This was wonderfully chilling and i can't wait to read part 2 , great stuff and well done Bobby |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Michael~ Absolutely captivating~ *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~ |
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sullivanthepoet.com Member
since 2007-06-28
Posts 154Devon, England |
Bobby... Well that's very kind of you to say so - I am delighted you found it entertaining... Thank you! |
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sullivanthepoet.com Member
since 2007-06-28
Posts 154Devon, England |
Marge... From one so well versed poetically I shall take that as high praise indeed - Thank you... |
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