Canticle

Canticle

A Poem by Carlos Lorenzo Estrada
"

A frightful tale of music and a certain evil that plays to our fears...literally.

"
Canticle

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

(A Devil's Song)


A stranger walked into a pub
cloaked in robes of red

As hush fell 'pon the gathered throng
while a midnight wind had fled

It cast away its garments 
stood still and unafraid 

In fear the people cried aloud
and all began to pray

It lept upon the table 
this vile thing I saw

Far from human; not a beast
a creature thin and tall

Naked in its wretchedness 
Leering in disgust 

A grin too big for its face
it licked the air with lust

Upon its long and boney hands
It played a violin 

A song so irredeemable 
forsaken in its sin

Its hooves tapped 'pon the table 
while tail swayed to tune

A melody that played to night
brought darkness to the room 

The crowd entranced within the pub
Waltzed frenzied 'pon the floor 

Controlled by wicked carnel urge
they begged and screamed for more

The Devil did not disappoint 
this rabble in their need

Plucked against the horrid strings
made fingers start to bleed

The eerie sounds that echoed loud
rose high maniacally

As depraved horde fell to the hymn 
of...Mephistopheles
 

© 2022 Carlos Lorenzo Estrada


Author's Note

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada
Now Charlie Daniels may have won with a fiddling devil but what about the battles Satan has had victories in? Years ago my grandmother was in her kitchen listening to a Spanish station on the radio. I didn't understand what the newscaster was saying because my Spanish is awful. But she proceeded to tell me about a story about a small village in Mexico. There was a wedding celebration occurring and as it started to wind down deep into the night a stranger suddenly appeared and requested a last dance from the bride. She accepted and the handsome man took her hand and led her before the crowd in the town square. They began to dance as all watched in silence. And suddenly mid way both the bride and stranger began to fload into the air. It was then that those in the crowd noticed the man had no feet, but instead hooves like a goat. They screamed in horror and everything went black. When it was bright again the bride was gone along with the odd man. She was never heard from again. That scary story scared the hell out of me when my grandmother told it to me. I don't know if she made it up pretending the Spanish news guy had said that, but it didn't matter because it kept an unruly child quiet for the rest of the day. CLE

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Reviews

This poem reminds me of the dancing plagues, where people would dance and dance, unable to stop, until their hearts gave out and they died. Noone has been able to explain what caused it, although some believe it was a form of mass hysteria, like the Salem witch trials. Perhaps. Or perhaps it was a song only they could hear, played by something intent on mayhem and death... excellent job with this one!

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Thank you Zoe for sharing your thoughts on this poem. That indeed was one of the inspirations for t.. read more
a marvelous story CLE. Your grandmother could have given Marquez a run for his money from the sounds of it.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Oh she was amazing in her storytelling. I often struggle trying to capture her tales in much of my .. read more
This was amazing. Like a Dante Inferno dance into the Devil's curse. The description was so good. You made the reader see and feel every words. I loved the complete poem. Thank you Carlos for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Thanks CP this was a fun Halloween poem. The images had that creepy vibe I was going for. I could .. read more
Coyote Poetry

1 Year Ago

I did enjoy and you are welcome Carlos.
very well done
We Canadians don't have a long history to draw these tales from, which makes them, coming from a foreign country seem more believable
But it's possible the Devil might have lost out on this kidnapping.
She may have become a terrible nag leaving him ever less and less time to haunt.
One just never knows

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

I always felt that there is a no more a polite society in the Americas than our brothers to the nort.. read more
Very cool poem and a very cool story from your grandmother. That is enough to scare you to death. Your poem flowed nicely and painted a gruesome picture. Nicely done.

Posted 1 Year Ago




I was led to believe it was a true story .. but then, that's what happens when some clever so and so slips a few acid tabs into the soda syphon during the pre-wedding feast ................... cracking post though mate. Neville

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Thank you Neville for your comment on this poem. I don't know if it is just me but I would think tha.. read more
My goodness- I love this and I smiled at your story- not the scary part, lol. I love that you told us the story behind it, it made it so much more intriguing and personal. And the way you wrote this is rather chilling. The descriptions and words. ‘A grin to big for its face,’ ugh! They don’t say the devil’s charms for no reasons. It makes you wonder where the woman was taken… that pub must have something very special about Tim I love your poem so much, because they invite a warmth no matter what there about, I suppose it’s the poet rather than the poem. That would’ve scared me so bad as a kid, too. Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful weekend!

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Thank you VC for sharing your thoughts with me on this poem. This time of year is always my favorit.. read more
Carlos there are innumerable songs about the devil: Sympathy for the devil Rolling Stones, Shout at the devil Motley Crew, Running with the devil Van Halen but your right the most famous is Charlie Daniels The devil went down to Georgia. He seems a rather popular fellow and your poem was great with your typical wonderful storytelling and smooth flow of the lines. Enjoyed it.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Thank you Soren for your thoughts on this poem. All great songs, though I admit I'm a rolling stone.. read more
What a tale Carlos.and an excellent write , well executed.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Thank you Andrew. This time of year always inspires my more darker writing. I love paying homage t.. read more
andrew mitchell

1 Year Ago

Love it. The darker the better!
Frightful tales and songs are the staple of many a childhood and the world over it would seem. Reminds me of la llorona among many others that walled our memories even into adulthood. Guess it's the season for this theme. TFS.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me on this poem. I agree, my grandmother was a superstitio.. read more

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141 Views
12 Reviews
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Added on October 26, 2022
Last Updated on October 26, 2022
Tags: fear horror evil

Author

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada
Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

salinas , CA



About
If I can say something worth saying that makes just one person think about others...I'll try. The greatest storyteller was my grandmother. I miss her stories. Also, I would like to add to please pay.. more..

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