The Devil and Demon Park

The girl that captured my heart, I knew

As Angela Dupree,

She stood at the centre of every group

At the university,

The comb in her hair was tortoiseshell,

Her necklace, crosses and beads

And silver bangles jangled her wrists

While her dress trailed lace at the knees.

 

The hair that fell at her shoulders was

More silvery then, than grey,

She said: ‘It’s a strange genetic thing

That came from my grandma’s way!’

We went to the self-same English tute

But she barely spared me a glance,

She favoured the sweatier, sporting type

So I didn’t stand much of a chance!

 

I’d watch her in the refectory

As she sipped her herbal teas,

But glanced away from the leering mob,

From their ribald jokes, and pleas,

As each of them tried to seize her hand

And vie for her every smile;

While soaking in their adoring spin

She basked in their wit, and guile!

 

They’d form a huddle beside the quad

With Angela at the core,

And pass the tokes with their feeble jokes

But kept their eyes on the door,

She came to the tutes all glassy-eyed,

And dreamed, not saying a word,

‘Til the tutor noticed, took her aside,

But I doubt if she even heard.

 

She failed a paper on Rupert Brooke,

I saw the look of alarm,

She’d never failed an assignment yet

But I saw the tracks in her arm,

Her face grew troubled, her brow was dark

With the slide, already begun,

Down to the Devil and Demon Park

And on to oblivion!

 

I found her sitting alone one day

And sat right down by her side,

‘Your ‘friends’ will take you to hell and back

But they’re just along for the ride!’

She looked at me and she curled her lip:

‘So why would you even care?’

But she saw the love-light shine in my eyes,

As I caught the scent of her hair!

 

She wept, and muttered: ‘It’s far too late,

I’m weak, and sick as can be!

All I can think is - how can I score?

Get rid of this devil in me!’

‘There isn’t an easy path,’ I said,

‘But start by taking my arm,

I’ll see you clear, though the demons jeer,

And I’ll keep you free from harm!’

 

I spent a week in her unit there

As she twisted, turned, perspired,

I mopped her brow and I gave her strength

Though she swore, and cursed, and cried.

There were times that she said she hated me,

There were times that she lay and wept,

She would suffer the fits of pain and cramps,

But there at the end, she slept!

 

I’d like to say that it all worked out

That we fell in love in the end,

But once recovered, she kissed me, said:

‘I will treasure you, as a friend!’

I was there when she married a banker’s son,

Was feeling a tear begin,

But she saw me then, and she whispered, ‘Hush!

An Angel has just come in!’

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Mark]

Oh what we will do for love eh? I wonder if the narrator had not felt the attraction if he'd still have done the same? There is something to be said about love for love's sake.

Good structure though there are a couple places where the rhymes seem forced. I'm as guilty of that as anyone else in my own writing. Telling a tale using such structure is work, hard work, to get it just right.

Good job overall and this is definitely a work I can identify with.

[Dayran]

A straightforward telling of the tale that begs the question, ' Why does everything we do have to be in expectation of a reward?' And what is it that happens when a man does it because it is the right thing to do?

The answer however is only found by the one who does it and the intrepid Mr. Paget is not saying what it is.

[eatmills]

That was quite the narrative. your always so good with them. I suspect this to be a true tale as the rule of the writer goes... I felt the emotion in your words and even let out a "That has got to hurt!" at the end. Thanks for the share>

[Valentine]

Another great tale..hec I thought he was going to get her in the end..all he heard was a funny thank you ..her calling him an angel. Angels walk in many forms..saving people from extreme pain and bad habits..I wish more kids in the world would find such an angel..You are the master of tales David. do any of your kids take after you and write?/I hope so..love to Lyn and you..God bless you both..Kathie

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

This is absolutely incredible! This "angel" of hers will never leave her memory and she knows that he knows her at her worst and still cared. That and this poem are powerful stuff! Sometimes, when people have seen us at a time when we don't even want to remember, the shame can make us distance ourselves from even a precious love...we are a crazy bunch we humans. One of your best I think.

[EileenMarie]

Oh I do love that! I find myself singing it :) Great write!!

[brokenwing1986]

oh i love this lot, This is hearttakenly beautifully written. Sad, but it is so hard to watch someone that you care so much or marry someone else. I don't think i could stood there and watch at myself. I can do alot of things but that is one thing i couldn't do.

[Serenity Faith]

Oh wow! Once again there's nothing for me to offer you but praise. Another witty dark write that I absolutely adore. *sigh* I guess I'm just another lovesick onlooker of Angela Dupree...

[Mockingbird]

she's lucky to have a friend care for her and love her unconditionally. he never professed his love for her so it shouldn't surprise him that he got stuck in that friendship loop. also the poem shows how there is hope for even those who have hit rock-bottom. great poem.

[Ama May Cooper]

Bravo!! Bravo indeed.
the flow and rythm in this poem take me along on a nice little boat journey flowing over the tides of your delicate story.
The intertwined themes of love, pain and friendship are fantastically described.
Your poem tells such a clear and beatuiful story i almost feel sorry for the protagagonist his story of love and dedication very elegant.

[Enid Blake]

Love the storyline and the rythmn.