Beckon Me Still

A tale of blood and death and woe...

I am lost, sweet Purity,
So lost
Fool that I was, my curiosity
Bent my will
To gaze behind the looking glass
I knew not the cost
And fate, my fate, has guided me ill

The whispers drew me, lured me, through the night
On past the shadows and o'er the hills
Away from safety and far beyond the light
I could not, would not see
The truth of things that haunt me still
Doleful river, Acheron, that won't set me free

Now I can't ever escape,
My chains
Bound by the blood, remnants of old mistakes
I am cursed
To wait long past the living last
Tasting red wine stains
And pain, my pain, driven by the thirst

Sweet siren touched me, loved me, as I died
Beneath the moon and within the halls
Sheltered from sunlight out where the vile ones hide
I cried to, tried to scream
Inside the earth while dark things crawl
Woeful river, sister Lethe, where only memories dream

I am cold, this pallid skin,
So cold
As I stalk forth, to slay my earthly kin
Hard I fight
To keep myself from wicked acts
Loss that church bells tolled
The eyes, my eyes, empty in the night

Bright blood it holds me, molds me, as I burn
Aching hunger deep within my soul
Unfettered urges to have that for which I yearn
I battered, shattered chains
Killing myself to make me whole
Scorching river, Phlegethon, just one sip to cast me in flames

Why, my God, why me forsake?
Oh God
I prayed to you, to help me awake
Save my life
Release me from my sins, my past
Defiled, tainted, flawed
The wails, their wails, echoes of my strife

Darkness maimed me, claimed me, for its own
Rivers running far into my core
Tarnished servant of Erebus by Night enthroned
I slumbered, hungered long
Victim of lost and ancient lore
Spiteful river, by Styx vowed, dripping waters quest for life prolonged

I am gone, empty and void
All gone
My mercy fled, by hate destroyed
Bitter, pale
Thirsty for the lives of men, at last
Howling demon vicious spawn
And death, that Death, sovereign of the Veil

Carnage swallowed me, followed me, where I tread
Legends still are told, cold night fables
Mysteries of me and mine and mortal dread
We've thrilled you, killed you all
Like elder Cain and sad drawn Abel
Keening river, Cocytus, long lamenting humanity's fall

I am dead, sweet, sweet Purity,
So dead
Yet corpse that I am, I live eternally
True I hunt
And ever hear that carmine call
Which nothing can fulfill
Save red, your red, oh Beckon Me Still!

Author's Note

There are five rivers within the Greek underworld, each ruled over by its own god.

The River Acheron - - - > http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/PotamosAkheron.html

The River Lethe - - - > http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/PotamosLethe.html

The River Phlegethon http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/PotamosPyriphlegethon.html

The River Styx - - - > http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/PotamosStyx.html

The River Cocytus - - - > http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/PotamosKokytos.html

Erebus was the Greek god of darkness. - - > http://www.theoi.com/Protogenos/Erebos.html

Nyx was the Greek goddess of night. - - > http://www.theoi.com/Protogenos/Nyx.html

Among other things, this poem is inspired by the poem "It Calls", by TinaK.

http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Tinawolfie/1030622/

Reviews

[Madalyn Beck]

Wow. I love this write. Truly! You have a way with words Caradoc and I'm so happy I stopped by to read this masterpiece! My favorite lines were these:

"Now I can't ever escape,
My chains
Bound by the blood, remnants of old mistakes
I am cursed"

Fantastic. Absolutely perfect. (:

[Caradoc]

Thank you so much, Madalyn. I am not sure if I prefer this piece over Painted Echoes, Scents of Sin, but it is definitely in my top 5.

I'm glad you enjoyed this one. Thanks again for stopping by. :)

[Madalyn Beck]

I will be checking those out then! (:

[Caradoc]

I hope you enjoy them. :)

[captain]

A glimpse of the darkness core of the heart, there are so much emotion put into it that I can’t even utter. You’ve touched something more darker, I adore this great vision and thoughts for it painted so much of what you describe. Very well done. I like it!!!

[Caradoc]

So glad that you liked it. I thank you for the read and the review. Have a wonderful day/night.

[John Phoenix Hutchinson..]

Congratulations this poem has been "approved" for publication in...

THE MAGICAL MYTHICAL MYSTERY COMPENDIUM.
-Metaphysical, Mystical & Fantastical Poetry of the Arcane

By John Phoenix Hutchinson and Others. (c) 2012

Please feel free to submit other poems as you are not limited to one entry. Also please write a short "bio" about yourself and send to me via private message. This will be published along with your poem. Thanks J.P.H.

Anyone wanting to make Submissions to this Writers Cafe "e" book Project can do so on my group page, the deadline is 1st of November 2012.

[Caradoc]

Thank you very much, my friend.

[John Phoenix Hutchinson.]

I needed some more Mystical....and this hits the spot!

[kublakhan27]

This is a phenomenal piece of writing...I'm a mythology buff myself but I've never come close to attaching such poetic depth to the rivers. The poem itself has a flow that enhances the aquatic element as well. When I was reading it, I had visions of subtle waves leveling out on the shoreline the narrator paces, retracting into soft currents inviting him to come in, the water's fine. For someone unfamiliar with the myths who wanted to know more about them, this poem would be an ideal starting point. Great work^^

[Caradoc]

Thank you very much for reading and reviewing this piece. That's a pretty cool image the poem conjured up for you. I'm glad you enjoyed it and that I could bring your imagination to life.

However, this piece barely touches on the subject of Greek mythology. A friend of mine though, has more than a few such poems about the old myths. Below is a link to her page if you find yourself wanting more poetry to read.

http://www.writerscafe.org/AllysonWolfe

Be well.

-Caradoc

[kublakhan27]

You're very welcome, and I would like to check out more of your stuff once my schedule allows it...I'll be sure to check out your friend as well^^

[emmajoy]

Apart from the character's self-abasement, read twice and slowly i discovered a very subtle meter and sinister tale. You've woven nightmares and doubts in a really appropriate way, used the ancient Greek with palpable flair which i truly admire.

'Darkness maimed me, claimed me, for its own
Rivers running far into my core
Tarnished servant of Erebus by Night enthroned
I slumbered, hungered long
Victim of ancient long lost lore
Spiteful river, by Styx vowed, dripping waters quest for life prolonged' .. .. not meaning criticism, wondering if you can replace one of the 'long' - tis the only jarring note.

[Caradoc]

I am glad you enjoyed reading this piece, twice no less, and that you find it admirable. That is a great compliment to me and I thank you.

Regarding the case of multiple "longs", I find myself challenged as to how I could alter it without losing the flavor and meaning of the stanza. The long I shall have to replace, if indeed I do end up finding a substitute, is "Victim of ancient long lost lore." If I change the other the rhyme scheme becomes unhinged and the meaning is lost...

I am debating whether, with a few adjustments, it would sound better with "antediluvian" or "timeworn" in place of parts of that line...

Hmm...

[emmajoy]

oops, i far too often bewilder people with help .. ignore me, most do!

[Caradoc]

Why do they ignore you? What you pointed out was actually something I would consider a flaw in my poem. I did not realize it at the time, but it does jar a bit...

[emmajoy]

was joking, sorry, did put an exclaimation mark. shhh.. don't alter what your mind tells you is fine, please

[Caradoc]

In that case I shall cease my efforts to think up a replacement. However, now that I have found them, I shall have to concoct a new poem in which I can give "antediluvian" and "timeworn" a home. For my new goal, I thank you.

I hope you have a wonderful day.

-Caradoc

[Mia]

I must be honest and say I didn't look at the links, I'm sure they would help me understand what you've written. I probably lost the plot completely. But here's what I love about you Caradoc...(relax :P...as a writer)...you wrote this incredible poem and I can still enjoy it, people can still enjoy it. You haven't limited this poem because of its genre. I thought it was beautiful and soaked up all the amazing and clever lines and I know less than nothing about Greek mythology. I have a feeling a vampire is involved, but maybe I've been reading too many vampire stories...LOL :)
“Bound by the blood, remnants of old mistakes
I am cursed
To wait long past the living last
Tasting red wine stains
And pain, my pain, driven by the thirst”
I didn’t know Arius wrote poetry :P

[Caradoc]

I wouldn't say you lost the plot completely. Knowledge of the rivers of the Greek Underworld isn't necessary to get and enjoy this poem, which could have multiple meanings depending on the viewer. The poem being about a vampire(s) is one such view. In fact, when I was writing it, Arius didn't cross my mind once, but now that I look back, it could be by him.

As far as what this poem is about for me, I would say that it is about the thirst that all vampires must endure. It's about the hunger for blood and life that drives them to hunt and to kill, and the corrupting effect constant bloodshed has on the soul

Read the poem a few more times and think about what you know of vampires. See if you can figure out what part each river of the Underworld has to play in the unlife of a vampire.

Be well.

-Cara

[Mia]

Okay, I'll get back to you on this one

[Tai Ryens]

Having read the Inferno Canto recently (found in Divine Comedy, I believe, or something along those lines), I am ceased from anything but words that would probably be praising your words. Therefor, I shall say none save for a few words of encouragement. Your style amazes me, as it never ceases to, well done.

[Caradoc]

Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy", which is split into "Inferno", Purgatorio", and lastly, "Paradiso", the epic poem, is one of my favorites. The man drew heavily on Greek mythology and combined it with turn of the century science, philosophy, politics, and Christian beliefs. As the saying goes, I wanna be like him when I grow up.

Thank you very much for the read and the review, my friend. I hope I can continue to amaze as long as I continue to write.

Be well.

-Caradoc

[Sapphire Queen]

This poem was intense, at least that's how I felt while reading it. I loved how you put the rivers of Greek mythology in there. I think it added an interesting twist that made you think. If you don't know much about Greek mythology you are just compelled to follow the links. The poem makes you want to know. I liked all the death references to help you realize what it's about, a vampire, but it can be taken different ways. Nice name even that is compelling. Great poem.

[Caradoc]

Wow. Thank you so much. This has to be the longest and most in depth review you've ever given one of my works, and that includes the ones you gave me face to face. If nothing else, This tells me that it's a good poem.

Seriously, thank you.

-Your Kitty God

[Palm Tree]

Oh how I love me some Greek mythology. Do you have a poem called Beckon Me Still??? Or is there another reason for the capitalization?

[Palm Tree]

I'm an idiot. That's the name of this poem hahahaha. My excuse is that I haven't slept much over ther past couple days lol

[Caradoc]

That's okay Palm Tree. I've been awake since 5 PM yesterday and I spent the entirety of 6 hours working on this poem once I cleared by 8 hour spell of writer's block.

[rnuff]

WOW really soulfully deep. I enjoyed this piece alot.

[Caradoc]

Thank you much for your kind words.

[Miss. Smith]

I don't really know how to describe everything that I loved about this poem but I did love it. It just flowed so well, and I connected to it very well. Whether I interpreted the meaning correctly or not, more interpreting is yet to be done once I look at the links in your note. Anyway, I have to say I love your writing style and this write.

[Caradoc]

I am so glad you liked it.

I can honestly say I lost a night of sleep to this piece. My Muse was very demanding, requiring me to forgo rest and relaxation for this poem. It's probably the poem I've spent the most work on in some time. "Beckon Me Still" makes me very proud to be a writer, even if only a couple people like it.

I hope you have a wonderful day/night.

-Caradoc

[Miss. Smith]

trust me, everyone should want to marry this poem

[Caradoc]

Everyone should want to marry my poem? That good huh? Haha, thanks.