Tell Tale Heart Revisited

A Poem by Rebecca Leigh

a poem reworking of the tell tale heart by Edgar Allen Poe

His shadow cast down,
down the long corridor.
could not hear a sound.
except the beating beneath the floor.

panic rising,
his hands sweat,
suddenly realizing,
he drew in a breath.

He had done what he planned,
a silent pride:
in his heart it fanned.
at the same time, could have cried.

like a father he had been,
now no more,
for because of this sin,
A demon he could not ignore.

he began to clean,
and stay calm,
he even had a sheen,
on his palm.

wiping the blood away,
and a knock on the door,
led his focus astray.
looking out the window towards the moor,

he thought of running,
anxiety began to soar.
he ran, lunging.

He tripped over a chair,
Which caused a raucous,
skin had cut beneath the hair,
a gash so luscious,

he could not mend,
for the pounding erupted,
thoughts would not lend,
his mind was corrupted.

then with a startle,
the door he did yank,
officers of the law came in a dartle,
his stomach suddenly sank.

"where is the man,
Who owns this land?"
"which man?"
He steadied his hands.

"oh, the master of the house,
well he is away,
to see a grandchild:
a weeks delay,"
the officers were mild,

a thumping began,
growing in sound,
the candle burned into a crayon,
the thought of the man; now underground.

he thrashed, and pushed,
his way to the bar,
feeling ambushed,
his stress off par.

he poured some whiskey,
and slid it to the guests,
who indeed were thirsty,
and talked about breasts.

filled with drink,
they did not notice,
the odd rotting stink,
strong as a lotus.

the sound increased,
from beneath their stand.
wanting to be released,
the room he scanned.

It grew too loud,
and painful,
a pipe he found,
raised as baneful,

he broke through the wood,
and shouted his confession,,
the men just stood,
without a question.

the man had crumbled,
pain surmounting,
before them he stumbled,
tormented and shouting.

© 2016 Rebecca Leigh

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Reviews

jacob erin-cilberto

"the play's the thing wherein i'll catch the conscience of the king"

love the analogy to Telltale...Poe is one of my favorites...and yes, even when others don't see, our mind and heart see...

well done...
j.

Posted 8 Years Ago

8 Years Ago

Thank you so much Jay, Poe is on of my favorites as well.

Coyote Poetry

Can confession create forgiveness?
"he broke through the wood,
and shouted his confession,,
the men just stood,
without a question."
Strong and honest thoughts led to good ending. Men and women find wisdom from good and bad decisions. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry. Made me think this night.
Coyote