whisper

03/2013

There was this girl

whose shattered heart extended

from the slits in her wrist

to the bullet hole in her head

No piano notes could ever 

touch the depths of her sadness

No amount of makeup could

cover up her disease 

The issues that had been

swept under the rug eventually

choked her to death from the inside

With no where to turn

she turned to the blade

With no one left to hold

she held the gun

The walls she had built to hid behind

fell with the first cut

The lies she had been forced to believe in

disintegrated in front of the 45 caliber bullet

that tore through her brain

Her lifeless body fell into the thoughts and prayers

of well wishers everywhere, only to be forgotten

after a short parade through empty streets

Me, I will never forget her

sometimes I swear

I can still hear her whisper my name

Author's Note

The Bridge of Sighs

One more Unfortunate,
Weary of breath,
Rashly importunate,
Gone to her death!

Take her up tenderly,
Lift her with care;
Fashion'd so slenderly
Young, and so fair!

Look at her garments
Clinging like cerements;
Whilst the wave constantly
Drips from her clothing;
Take her up instantly,
Loving, not loathing.

Touch her not scornfully;
Think of her mournfully,
Gently and humanly;
Not of the stains of her,
All that remains of her
Now is pure womanly.

Make no deep scrutiny
Into her mutiny
Rash and undutiful:
Past all dishonour,
Death has left on her
Only the beautiful.

Still, for all slips of hers,
One of Eve's family—
Wipe those poor lips of hers
Oozing so clammily.

Loop up her tresses
Escaped from the comb,
Her fair auburn tresses;
Whilst wonderment guesses
Where was her home?

Who was her father?
Who was her mother?
Had she a sister?
Had she a brother?
Or was there a dearer one
Still, and a nearer one
Yet, than all other?

Alas! for the rarity
Of Christian charity
Under the sun!
O, it was pitiful!
Near a whole city full,
Home she had none.

Sisterly, brotherly,
Fatherly, motherly
Feelings had changed:
Love, by harsh evidence,
Thrown from its eminence;
Even God's providence
Seeming estranged.

Where the lamps quiver
So far in the river,
With many a light
From window and casement,
From garret to basement,
She stood, with amazement,
Houseless by night.

The bleak wind of March
Made her tremble and shiver;
But not the dark arch,
Or the black flowing river:
Mad from life's history,
Glad to death's mystery,
Swift to be hurl'd—
Anywhere, anywhere
Out of the world!

In she plunged boldly—
No matter how coldly
The rough river ran—
Over the brink of it,
Picture it—think of it,
Dissolute Man!
Lave in it, drink of it,
Then, if you can!

Take her up tenderly,
Lift her with care;
Fashion'd so slenderly,
Young, and so fair!

Ere her limbs frigidly
Stiffen too rigidly,
Decently, kindly,
Smooth and compose them;
And her eyes, close them,
Staring so blindly!

Dreadfully staring
Thro' muddy impurity,
As when with the daring
Last look of despairing
Fix'd on futurity.

Perishing gloomily,
Spurr'd by contumely,
Cold inhumanity,
Burning insanity,
Into her rest.—
Cross her hands humbly
As if praying dumbly,
Over her breast!

Owning her weakness,
Her evil behaviour,
And leaving, with meekness,
Her sins to her Saviour!

Thomas Hood

Reviews

[Miss Marie Riorden.]

Oh, this is hauntingly beautiful. And I'm sure more than one person could relate with this. I know I can, in my own way. Taunting with death because of society's inability to accept people for who they are. And then when you lose someone so harshly, so quickly, due to judgements made by people who are ignorant, is painful.
This is amazing work. Thanks for RR'ing it to me.

[Otsana]

Very chilling write you have a talent for creating vivid imagery in your poetry and it translates very well to the reader. Good job!

[Robbie~xoxo~]

Truly Powerful Joshua!! WOW!
You never cease to amaze me with your vivid depiction and emotionally riveting writes...
This one transcends beyond torment.... it's torture to the soul...

"Me, I will never forget her

sometimes I swear

I can still hear her whisper my name"~Haunting write, my friend. ~xoxo~

[FlatLineBeauty]

Sad yet beautiful. I enjoyed your poem. xo Winter

[joshua deathdealer]

Thank you. (:

[Rene Velez]

Yes, I agree with Augustus, very poetic indeed, glad your back Josh.

[joshua deathdealer]

Thank you Rene. It's good to be back.

[TL Boehm]

so sad. So sad.
Her lifeless body fell into the thoughts and prayers
of well wishers everywhere, only to be forgotten
after a short parade through empty streets

a life reduced to the lines above. Its heart wrenching

[Sunflower/Sara Kendrick]

A very emotive and expressive work..Uniquely creative read..I hope that this has not touched your life personally but just a topic about which you have chosen to write..Thanks for stopping by my page..Sara

[Augustus]

Very poignant and very poetic. Suicide is a theme well-explored, but you have stamped your individuality on the poem. I see a blend of the real and the metaphorical here that I find very compelling. It is what makes poetry natural. You can connect and empathise with the poet on multiple levels. Reminds me a bit of "The Bridge of Sighs" by Thomas Hood. I also think the ending is very touching, a personal connection is established there in an otherwise impersonal account. This is a refined poem from someone who evidently understands poetry. Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought.... This one fits that mold. Well done!

[joshua deathdealer]

I read "The Bridge of Sighs" by Thomas Hood. Thank you for pointing me there and thank you for your insightful review.

[Augustus]

You're welcome! I enjoyed your poem immensely.

[Angela ☄️]

Wow, that's crazy, but crazy in a good way. :) Bravo! I hope you write more like these!

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

"Her lifeless body fell into the thoughts and prayers
of well wishers everywhere, only to be forgotten
after a short parade through empty streets."
You've portrayed a vivid description of reality here. You've done a wonderful job. :)

[Raven Starhawk]

Upon reading this I felt as though it were a page from my life. Powerful write.