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BLACK HEARSE
Dante died with a twisted hide And a mind of haunted blood,
His tongue was swollen; eyes were wide, face down-ward in the mud.
And on his back there sat a pack of demons dark and grim;
Who’s flapping batlike wings so black to the Underworld carried him.
And once beyond the Nether Gates, The threshold stranger met,
Whose Opal eyes and fearful face, Now Dante can’t forget.
Is death unlike a tortured life? Is death unlike a curse?
The riddle is; Why paint it black? Why paint it black; the Hearse?
So Dante with a puzzled frown with veins of fire and ice;
Quivered till he shook the ground, and rolled his teeth like dice.
But Death just smiled an elegy And cracked a joke in verse;
“I bid thee pithy answer me. Why paint it black the Hearse?”
“All race of men must come by thee” Dante slowly spoke;
“All race of colour and of creed, must come beneath thy cloak!”
“Explain the riddle of the rhyme!” Said Death more like a curse;
“Why paint thee black the Holy Time why paint it black the Hearse?”
“If paints of every colour known were mixed within one pot;
The colour that all men be shown, be the colour of the lot”
“With every ray of light absorbed not one reflected back;
The colour of the Hearse therefore always appeareth black!”
“From Death it seems no-one returns, not one reflected back;
And thus is why the grave she yearns the Hearse be painted black!”
At this the demons in surprise threw Dante in the air;
For no-one ever knew the wise That Death was always there.
And Death himself became astonished surely Dante knew;
That no Death in a tortured mind, Would let a Dante through!
Style / type:
Structured: Western
Review Request (Intensity):
I appreciate moderate constructive criticism
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Not Explicit Content
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Comments
Alex Tanner
Sun, 2023-02-05 05:21
Loved it
Loved the thought that went into the telling of it and loved the telling of it. Great writing. Alex
Poets Hand
Sun, 2023-02-05 07:20
Black Hearse
Thank you Alex once again for the positive feedback. You obviously appreciate the work that is hidden behind a poem such as this. The same work and thought no doubt put into "Hunters Moon", the conjuring of imagery and setting the mood. I must say I enjoy your work and feel inspired by it.
Thank you once again
Poets Hand
Hannah
author commentRosewood Apothecary
Sun, 2023-02-05 06:58
What an interesting poem
Again your rhythm is a gallop, admittedly your usual style and one I’m rather fond of. The idea is really original. I was very impressed with the characters and story. The use of physics married to spirituality. Themes of light and dark. Reflection and refraction. All stellar
Tim
Poets Hand
Sun, 2023-02-05 07:29
Black Hearse
Thank you for taking the time to read BLACK HEARSE. My galloping rhythm is found in many of my poems I guess I like getting wound up through poetry. I do write in more classical styles from time to time as well. I loved your comments about the poem all of which give positive feedback that enlighten me as to my ability to relate an experience or story through my poetry. I have no other critics so I value your assessment very highly.
Once again thank you for taking time to read it you must be a very busy person and time must be a priceless commodity for you.
Poets Hand
Hannah
author commentGeezer
Sun, 2023-02-05 11:42
Hmmmm...
Your piece is really good, and a reminder to go back and fix some of my own work, which I have rediscovered since reading your [galloping rhythm]. There is nothing that I would change about this poem. It runs freely and without restraint to a logical end. Well done sir! ~ Geezer.
.
There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.
Poets Hand
Sun, 2023-02-05 15:18
Black Hearse
Dear friend Geezer,
Thank you for your positive feedback giving me a stronger identity poet-wise. I need this in order to grow and become confident. I looked at your poem "When the Frost Bites" among others this morning. It caught my eye because I also addressed this title and wanted to get another angle on its imagery. I must say I enjoyed reading it. It reminded me of stories I heard as a kid about Jack Frost touching us - I'm rambling but I do enjoy your work.
Thank you once again.
Poets Hand
Hannah
author commentSeren
Sun, 2023-02-05 11:43
Dear Poets Hand
I thoroughly enjoyed this there is so much to love about this tale of Dante and Death. You've got wonderful rhythm, it made me remember this
(Death is not the end of these souls lives, for those in Hell, death is a torturous and inescapable eternal life)
I'm probably a little off with that quote but that's the best I can do at 3.41am.
Welcome to Neopoet it's lovely to have another Aussie on the site.
Kind regards Seren/Jayne-Chloe
“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” — W.B. Yeats
Poets Hand
Sun, 2023-02-05 15:32
Black Hearse
Thank you Seren for taking the time to look at my poem and better still leave a comment. Its great to meet another Aussie here as I was beginning to feel isolated. Some of my poetry is so Aussie based that I don't know if I should even bother to post it. I loved your poem "Symphony in the stars" as my other interest is photography (astral photography included). It amused me to discover that the name meaning of "Seren" is "Star" and that you should write "Symphony in the Stars" . I noticed that each stanza holds the rhythm of a single line and each forms a stave of musical beauty. I really enjoyed reading its imagery and score.
Thank you once again from Poets Hand
Hannah
author commentSeren
Mon, 2023-02-06 02:51
Dear Hannah
You're not alone. We are here though in smaller numbers these days. Ive been at the site for 16yrs this March so if you need help with anything don't hesitate to ask. I live in NSW, mid North Coast. I have family up around where you are. I've been planning to go up in the winter months when its a little cooler.
Thank you so much for the review of Symphony in the stars. We share something else then, I am obsessed with the universe. An Astrophile to the bone. I have many Australian based poems and poetry about the stars. I am really impressed you looked up Seren. That name found me. Not the other way around when I found out what it meant it seemed apt given my love of the universe.
I look forward to reading more of your work.
Cheers Jayne
“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” — W.B. Yeats
RoseBlack
Sun, 2023-02-05 13:12
Another
impressive story/poem. So much to love about this tale and why the hearse is black. I look forward to reading more from you.
~RoseBlack~
Poets Hand
Sun, 2023-02-05 15:43
Black Hearse
Thank you RoseBlack . I can identify with your work easily. Poems such as "Witches Night" stay with me as a chilling reminder that there is more to this universe than we realize. The last witch that was hanged is a powerful statement assuming that all the powers of all the previous witches was embodied in the last.
You have a talent and genius I can only dream of emulation.
Thank you once again for your comments and also for your poetry left there for me to enjoy.
Poets Hand
Hannah
author commentRoseBlack
Sun, 2023-02-05 15:55
Thank you
For such high praise. I am glad you are able to read and see the deeper meanings in my writing!
~RoseBlack~
Poets Hand
Sun, 2023-02-05 16:19
RoseBlack Deeper meanings
They are so vivid and transparent and you tell your emotion well How can I not be captured by your verse.
Thank you once again.
Poets Hand
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