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Open Poetry #11

At the Foot of the Tower

VAS
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-11-16

Posts 7450
Oregon

0 posted 2000-11-23 11:12 AM

At the Foot of the Tower
Virginia Salter

she entered the door at the foot of the tower
it was on the leeward side and away from the sea
the crashing surf could be heard inside the stone walls
its rhythm in time with her slow, methodic steps
up the spiral staircase

as she reached the ninth step
she began to hum a tender tune
from her childhood memory
each note came, too,
methodically as each step and crashing wave

the faint glow of moonlight
dimmed with each passing
of the pulsing lantern above
each in time with the other
as if perfectly orchestrated
finally her steps brought her
and her tune to the third landing

there, on the twenty-seventh step,
she stopped
both her footsteps
and her humming
and gazed out
over the blackness
that was striped
with gilt-edged waves

she opened the door
and stepped to the railing
said a tender, gentle prayer
and watched the earth,
glistening with starlight and fireflies,
rise to meet her, eagerly,
as she said “Good-bye.”

Nov. 1999

raleighbttrfly
Member

since 2000-11-21

Posts 160
Raleigh NC

1 posted 2000-11-23 11:23 AM

That was a vary interesting pice. I liked the discription, i could realy see that tower and the sea. I wonder if u hav written more to this story.

inot2B
Member Elite

since 2000-09-18

Posts 2205
Arkansas

2 posted 2000-11-23 11:31 AM

You had me in your spell. I was enjoying the walk up the steps, then somewhere near the top my mind clicked and I knew. Beautifully described, I have heard the sounds of the sea crashing on the beach. It was a lonesome song.

blackwid0w_99
New Member

since 2000-11-22

Posts 6

3 posted 2000-11-23 11:32 AM

dang this b a powerfull piece vas .... think it b the most enthralling of yours iv read .. ;-)
there again was there doubt that the wid0w would like this one lol ;-)

VAS
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-11-16

Posts 7450
Oregon

4 posted 2000-11-23 02:33 PM

Thanks, all, for your comments. I'm so happy you enjoyed this piece.

bw: lol, you're right about that, that it would be your cup of tea
I hope you do post some here because I'm not likely to go read in a place where all the poems are dark
there may be just more darkness than I can stand

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