The Rival

The hills were awash with winter rain

As I walked on down to the cross,

My coat was drenched and my feet were wet

As I thought of my recent loss.

The sun was hidden behind the clouds

When I got to the crossroads there,

And a single sliver of lightning flashed,

Shed light on my own despair.

 

I knew that I’d get there early, so

I sheltered under a tree,

They’d not set off from the market place

At least, ‘til after three.

I should have come down in a coach and four

And kept right out of the rain,

But to freeze on the muddied bridle-path

Seemed to cauterize my pain.

 

It gave me time to adjust my mind

For the deed that had to be done,

Walk down the Hall of Remembrance for

A love that had been hard won,

The eyes that sparkled and smiled for me

Each time that I came in view,

Oh Caroline, sweet Caroline,

I’d have given the world for you!

 

That terrible night on the balcony

When you fought with Emily Krause,

You said she’d uttered some infamy

I should throw her out of the house.

I’d only left for an instant then

To recruit some help downstairs,

But when I returned to the balcony

She welcomed me back with a curse.

 

She said that you’d jumped, were in a rage,

She said that you’d had a fall,

She said that you’d gone, and I could gauge

That she was the best of all.

She backed away, and fell to her knees

While I stared down at the Mall,

She begged and sobbed, and she whispered ‘Please!’

But you lay there in a sprawl.

 

The cart is pulled by a single horse

As it ambles down from the town,

She’s dressed herself in a bonnet of blue

And worn her second-best gown.

A line of townsfolk follow it down

And they pelt her with refuse,

She screams with fear and I can but hear

Her say, ‘Please cut me loose.’

 

The crossroads are a terrible place

With a sign that points to town,

The single arm that is braced in place

Has a rope burn, up and down,

I clamber up on the ancient cart

And I check that her hands aren’t loose,

‘Not you, my love, not you, by God!’

As I place her neck in the noose.

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Ellen Hammond]

Such an intriguing tale told so well with your special flair. Much enjoyed reading!

[Valentine]

I have always heard that the "PAYBACK" can be much more than the deed as you so cleverly put into this tale. I really love your writing. Kathie

[TPK Stories]

Another clever and eerie tale...well done....

[Lyn Anderson]

A very clever write. Another well done story-poem.

[Taylor_McCutcheon]

I really enjoyed this poem. I read it out loud and the rthym was very well done :)

[Wraith.]

Has good narrative, interesting write.

[Marie]

I'm thinking that the narrator was the offician hangman for this time, but am unclear whch woman he hung. I qill guess it was Emily.

[melissa]

This is a great poem keep up the great work and keep them coming