Gormenghast.

A Gothic Romance

Riding a black Heron

Cupping the winged air

And seeing

across setted peaked walls

When high skies are still morning lit

Such is the rushing light coming it has sound

A crepuscular life resonance

That sounds like old waves

From across the world

And the sound of old books speaking to each other

In hidden libraries

With soot blackened covers silhouette dancing

And filigreed torn page shadows

Playing literary games

whilst inventing words

High screaming swift arrowheads are hunting

The smaller errant words as they fly

Whilst stone dragons in sunlight catch flies

And warm cold metallic blood

That leaks from ancient bones

Leaded windows in ruined architecture open

Ivy covered mouths

And catch in their lozenge shapes

The faint rose light from an ancient sun

Iridescent feathers fall

Air drowned

Onto deaths green waters

Green teeth and

Weed choked with

Marauding silver scintillating shapes

Crooked houses and sticklebacked figures

Rise with a ghosting smoke

And crying mist

Into the history of this dying

Lovers chant their mysteries

And dance a galliard lying in

Web stroked beds

And old faded flowers

A croaked paper voice

Sings

And love songs write themselves in the air.

 

Author's Note

Gormenghast is the second book of an incredible gothic fantasy by Mervyn Peake. Titus Groan, Gormenghast and Titus Alone.The first two are amongst my favourite books. I cannot praise them highly enough. Gormenghast is a fantastic gothic pile of a castle that has to be imagined to be believed.
Crespuscular is an animal, insect or bird that is active at dawn or sunset.
The image is mine and is called Dryburgh Abbey

Reviews

[TL Boehm]

life resonance

That sounds like old waves

From across the world

And the sound of old books speaking to each other

In hidden libraries

With soot blackened covers silhouette dancing

And filigreed torn page shadows
I just want to breathe this in. Its writing abundant with lush words - I can smell the books...hear them whisper. Lovely lovely lovely

[Ken Simm.]

Thamk you Tammy. You are too kind.

[Delmar Cooper]

Everything comes from somewhere. I think you too much credit Peake. The title name may be his but this is your own.

It is black enough to be gothic. The kind of blackness that sticks to skin and clothing when we travel too close to the center. It marks us you know - makes us targets for the ancient pikes of imagination. They rust and rust but never rust away and even after all this time remain sharp enough to prick.

Thank you for sharing.

[Ken Simm.]

I don't think Peake can be given too much credit but I understand and appreciate what you say. A true black is a total absence of light and therefore invisible. but its fun to imagine its rich depths.
Thank you for liking this.

[Ed Hart]

you have mystic blood in your veins...yes, it's a blessing, but still a bit of a curse

[Ken Simm.]

You know I think I may predict that you are right. Thanks so much Ed.

[Angi]

The imagery here is palpable. I can picture a castle. The description of Death's green waters was amazing. My son and I are going to go down to the local bookseller and inquire about these books. Beautifully and hauntingly written, Ken. Angi~

[Ken Simm.]

The first two are the better. The last Titus Groan doesn't really follow because one of the main characters, the edifice Gomanghast is not really there. Peake was very ill when he worte the last one also. I suppose therefore it is wrong to carp. Than you for all that Angi.

[Pete Langley]

Gothic...yes Gothic!....I can see that in you, Ken!....lots of stone, castellations and gargoyles - especially gargoyles! :) As a source of atmospherics - I know how much you like atmospherics - this is food for your fertile pen, mate! I can smell the bookmust! Also, do I detect a fine grain of mischievous humour running through this? Fine work. P.

[Ken Simm.]

Yep I can smell something too. Too kind Pete. Do you know Peake?

[kmartell]

nice.... and love songs write themselves in the air....the black heron, invokes a land you inhabit. very NICE. the caps lock does that at opportune moments.

are our words moments in time?

[Ken Simm.]

Thank you for looking and liking. Much appreciated.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Such a visceral read...I found myself riding the winged Heron with you here. Your imagery is great, and the flow is quite nice as well. Nicely done.

[Ken Simm.]

Thank you very much Sarah for reading and liking.

[emmajoy]

I've yet to get through the trilogy, tried years ago, 'tried' being the operative word. Perhaps reading your powerful writing will inspire me to have another go. Maybe i can ask you questions now and again - if you don't mind.

I've a feeling that your dark and graphic phrasing steps neatly into Peake's shadow, 'Weed choked with~ Marauding silver scintillating shapes ~ Crooked houses and sticklebacked figures ~ Rise with a ghosting smoke ~ And crying mist ~ Into the history of this dying.. '

There's something about, 'Playing literary games ~ Whilst inventing words..'

[Ken Simm.]

That is just what Peake did. Whenever a wrod would not fit, he invented one.
You may ask me any questions you like Em. You know that. I might not be clever enough to answer them however. Thank you so much my dear friend.

[Frieda P]

I'm not familiar with this favorite poet/fantasy of yours, but It really didn't make a difference. Your poetry comes to life and prances romantic across the page here. It's always as though a new dawn begins with your exquisite writing, your poetry wraps around my senses and I never want it to end.

'And the sound of old books speaking to each other'

One day they'll be speaking your name Ken....breathtakinly lovely as always. Bravo my friend.

[Ken Simm.]

Prances romantic...... oooooer missus! And it depends what they are mentioning my name for Frieda. It could be its a fair cop but soociety is to blame Guv!
Thanks very much for looking in.

[SyberRose]

An awe-inspiring write of the eeriness of twilight and spirits dancing...in web stroked beds...dark romance at its best Ken. I loved your grasp of language also...And adored the photo the way the sky looks like
a moon flower.

[Ken Simm.]

You honour me Rose and I thank you. Do you know Mervyn Peake?

[SyberRose]

No I don't but will have to look forward to reading this book as I love writing on the dark side of romance.

[Ken Simm.]

I hope you will enjoy Steerpike and Fushia then.