The Church of De Angelo

I married Rosita back in the Spring

As a new world budded with everything,

She sprang from an ancient family

Its heart in the vineyards of Tuscany.

Her skin was dark and her hair blue-black

From the blood of her father’s, way, way back,

Her family tree lay in mystery

So I thought I’d uncover their history.

Down in the damp of the cells, there lay

A mound of their documents, rotting away,

Down where the Monks had toiled below

In the crypt of the Church of De Angelo.

There I would work, and day by day

Would learn of plots where the skeletons lay,

The grinning skulls kept the plans alight

They had once conspired in the dead of night.

I asked Rosita to join me there

Way down below, at the foot of the stair,

And she came gliding, all dressed in white

Like some grim ghost with her girdle tight.

‘Why do you stir these shades,’ she said,

‘When for hundreds of years they’ve lain here dead,

It’s better we leave their old intrigues

Scattered like bones, and Autumn leaves.’

‘This is your line,’ I then replied,

‘Who lived and schemed, and who loved and died,

As one day soon you may bear a son

Who’ll need to know where he’s coming from.’

And sure enough in the month of June

There were signs that he would be coming soon,

Her forehead burned and the glass she sipped

When she came alone to the darkened crypt.

Then shadows moved in the ancient cells

Where the Monks had worked on their evil spells,

And she began to shiver and glow

In the crypt of the Church of De Angelo.

I said what I should have spoken yet

That all I had was a deep regret,

That ever I asked her to get up and go

To the crypt that lay in the church below.

But still she went on that long descent

She seemed obsessed and would not relent,

Till late one night and a baby cried

Delivered on a cold slab, and died.

I keep Rosita so close to me,

And far from her family history,

Something is creeping, evil and slow

In the crypt of the Church of De Angelo.

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Baby Ricochet]

WOW! What a story. Mr Paget you're the king.

[Valentine]

This one gave me the chills. Deeply thought out write. Valentine

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

An intriguing piece that scars the reader with sentiment and regret, well done, good read.

[Avinash]

Some of the family secrets shall remain a secret. For an outsider it may be a subject of curiosity but for someone who shares the burden of past it is rather too much to take.

[Katie Lynn]

This was a hauntingly beautiful read! Possibly one of my favorites yet, excellent work David. You never cease to amaze me.
My Love and Warm Regards,
Katie

[Lady Lola]

A lovely poem. It slowly builds a certain creepiness that peeks in a very eerie ending.

I wish I knew her family's secret history, but then again I also enjoy the mystery. (Ha, this actually rhymes!)

[TPK Stories]

Wonderful story David. As always.

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing tale my friend.
"I keep Rosita so close to me,
And far from her family history,
Something is creeping, evil and slow
In the crypt of the Church of De Angelo."
I enjoyed the story told and the proper ending. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote