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Year 10 English: Gothic Literature - Three-series poem, "Red" (20/20)

Updated: Aug 29, 2020

2013



Elvira’s Recall


Thy dark-brown eyes retrace when we first met.

Handsome and young, thou had a charming smile.

Once in love, there was no fear nor threat.

Unpredictable ending from the day I walked down the aisle.


Strange, I bear to watch thou suffer!

How thy red blood runs all over my hand!

Am I a demon or is it my destiny to be tougher?

Love, thou bosom could not mend.

Liquor, curse thou for my love thee stole.


Drowning in thy oozing blood, red.

I shut thy eyes that pierce through my soul.

Elbert Lintwood, my love, thou art the only love I had.



Lintwood’s Vision


Come sirrah! Who’s that beautiful ma’am I see ere me?

Oh! She hath roses for cheeks, cherries for lips and silky brown hair.

Ma’am, love at first sight, “Would thou be my Lady Lintwood, I prithee?”

Elvira was the name, was it a game? young love, found nowhere.


Alcohol, wherefore thou appear? Fie! I used to be so gay.

Now, forgiveness thou I beg.

Drinking backfires. Demon desires. Delight retires.


Reluctant, “Get thee hence, woman! Stop the nag!”

Elvira, thy blue teary eyes hie demons away.

So I decided to change, thy favour’d roses and necklace for thee.

Thought of thou being sunny, I shone like ray.


I walked in - shiny, sharp, sorrow through me.

Not once, but twice stabbed, stream of red blood.


Pull thee towards me, plant a gentle kiss on thy cherry lips.

Endless red blood - getting hazy, thud!

And I whisper, “Happy anniversary love,” I weep.

Cozy. Where am I? I see my dead niece.

Elvira, my love, come hither and Rest In Peace.



Red Reality


The Sun stretches her hands and wakes me up.

I see Elbert next to me, sleeping, smiling -

Perhaps, he killed me in his dream too.

I wear my gown and make his breakfast.

Typical


Cutting bloody beetroot, evokes my dream

Was it only a dream or was it a sign?

Screech, gash on my finger, blood drops

Red blood, red juice blends and forms a word K.I.L.L

Irresistible


Elbert appears with a peevish face

We eat - soundless.

He leaves without finishing beetroot, his favourite

No hint of appreciation

Despicable


Knitting red wool, evokes my dream

Married for ten years

Were madly in love

What happened?

Inexplicable


The Sun is going home and he would be too

I go to the kitchen, sharpen the knives

knock, knock

hold the knife behind my back, steps soundless

Unpredictable


Twisting a red door knob, this evokes my dream

My eyes widen

“Oh, Mrs. Stanbury! What art thou doing hither late?”

Give her the sugar she needs

Breathable


Clouds are hiding the Moon

Go to kitchen to return the knife

Go to bedroom to clear my mind

Go to dream

Unintentional


I wake up, open the red curtain, evokes my dream

I hear the pouring rain outside, dim and foggy

I hear banging noise

I hear my name

Undeniable


I go to kitchen and get the knife

Sharpened, just the way I like it

“Elvira! Fie! Open the door woman!”

Hold the knife behind my back, steps soundless

Unbearable


Twisting a red door knob, it evokes my dream

My eyes widen,

Elbert, I see blood running down,

Unacceptable.


I look down, see a knife stuck in my stomach.

I look up, he smiles, uneasy

I look down, drenched with my blood

I look up, smile bitterly, how did this come to be?

Unbelievable


I drop the knife behind my back

Hazy

Close my eyes

Hear a sob, destiny makes a fool of me.

Unforgivable




 


*thou = you

*thy = your

*bosom = heart

*thee = you

*sirrah = a term of address used for inferiors

*ere = before

*prithee = a polite way of asking something

*fie = an exclamation of dismay or disgust

*hence = away

*hie = hurry

*hither = here


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