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Tolling of the Bells
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Tolling of the Bells |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Far off in the distance, I hear a tolling bell, I walk along in cadence, encaptured in its spell, I am just a traveller, passing by this way, When I top that final hill, on cold December day. A biting wind comes out the north, soon will its teeth spit snow, An icy chill runs down my spine, as gaze on scene below, Three people stand beside a grave, wood coffin lays inside, Behind white church with tolling bell, a cold day to have died. I think perhaps inside the church, some warmth that I will find, So I walk towards the three, to ask if they would mind, They stand in total silence, no sorrow can I see, As I approach, three turn away, no word they say to me. The bell is tolling louder now, as I stand alone, Gazing down on open grave, beside a blank tombstone, I look aound for mourners, no longer see the three, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, the Holy Trinity. Leafless trees above hang low, o'er deep and silent grave, Winter is descending, soon will the land enslave, Dark skies above foreboding, not yet a snowflake shed, In grip of icy tenacle, feel touch of recent dead. Soul's despair of haunting sorrow, hangs from the lifeless trees, Clouds of terror reaching out, bell's tolling death decrees, With mournful soul and somber limbs, am touched by lifeless breath, At frozen grave stand face to face, with unrelenting death. From the church's steeple, the bell tolls louder yet, Within my mind a madness, the tolling has beset, Do you hear the tolling, the tolling of the bell? O' God, please stop the tolling, I hear my own death knell. |
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| © Copyright 2000 Mike - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Mike, it's as if E.A. Poe himself came to life and guided your hand....and that's the greatest compliment I can give anyone. Excellent writing...... |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I am awestruck by this poem amazing... the imagery is bone chilling the rhyme is perfect ... hauntngly beautiful jm |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Mike~ Wow ! What a wonderfully presented tale. You amaze me with your versatility. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
ALRIGHT!!!!!! Way to go, Mike...this is a wonderful poem! |
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bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855 |
Mike, Yet again you make me glad I can read. I love your poetry. Mike (ii) |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I know when I read your work, I won't be disappointed...and I'm not. Excellent! |
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AVANTI Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 664INDIA/MAHARASHTRA/PUNE |
awesome poem very well written I feel like i can hear the bells toll If all was light...then I would have never learnt the dark...from which such truth evolves from which evolves the light... Avanti Rao |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Mike ! Uitmuntend ! (Now go and ask your friend what that means hehe ) |
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X Angel Senior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 1521Oregon |
I *shiver* to have read this Mike. Incredible writing, and I have to go along with 'Deer in saying "POE"....I love EAP!  ~H |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
This is definitely one of your best and one of my favorites! Denise |
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sea_of_okc Senior Member
since 1999-06-15
Posts 568Oklahoma City, OK, USA |
Yessir, this is a great one. |
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Christopher J Member
since 2000-06-21
Posts 94 |
Yes, this definately has my vote! I think we are all travellers and i think and hope that God hears my prayers, such a sad ending! |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Thank you all ever so much for your exceedingly gracious and generous comments. Glad you all enjoyed and now I have to go call my Dutch friend and see what Munda said... *smile* |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Simply stunning, Mike. Flawless rhythm - it immersed me... K |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Check 4th stanza, 3rd line. This was an excellent poem! I give you my applause! |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Mike, what a view you have presented here, on the outside looking in and then the grave reality (no pun intended) of facing death. The fear of the unknown so well expressed.... I got to vote this one in.... |
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Not A Poet Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885Oklahoma, USA |
Excellent Mike, gives me an eerie feeling. Thanks, Pete |
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Heather Miller Member
since 2000-07-19
Posts 409Bryan, Ohio USA |
moving writting. LITL, Heather With God all things are possible. |
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Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
A story woven into and from out of the darkness of one's mind...I've always loved this one. ~ Claire Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Another wonderful poem that I wish I could vote for again! Denise |
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