Woman in Black

‘Come out, come out!’ I whispered to her,

‘Come out from your padded walls,

There’s a world of love that waits you here,

There are hills and waterfalls,

The sky is blue in the summertime

And the swallows dive in the field,

Come out, come out,’ I knocked at her door,

But the door was barred and sealed.

 

‘You were bright and gay just yesterday,

When we walked in the park at noon,

You chattered in your excited way

Of your plans for the month of June,

You picked a posy of buttercups

And you plaited them into your hair,

Then skipped and danced as the breeze came up

For the joy of the day out there.’

 

‘So why have you barred your door to me

When my love is fastened on you,

What has become of our reverie

That you said was more than my due?

You’ve locked yourself in a gloomy room

At the end of an ancient hall,

What in the world’s come over you…’

‘I stare at a crystal ball!’

 

Her voice came echoing through the door,

In the tone of a girl who’d cried,

Her sobs seeped up from the oaken floor

Of the room where she sat, inside,

‘The world outside is a sham,’ she said,

‘The meadows are barren and dry,

And over all like a leaden pall

Is the arch of a greying sky.’

 

I went to say that it wasn’t so

But a cloud had covered the sun,

And out beyond me the fields were dry

The river had ceased to run,

The swallows, building their nests had gone

Where the sun still shone at noon,

Shadows formed, and my face was grim

As my soul was steeped in gloom.

 

‘What did you see in the crystal ball?’

I said, with a tongue so dry,

‘I saw our love to the end of it,’

She said, and started to cry,

‘I saw the woman in black that came

To shatter our marriage vow,

And tasted blood on the lip you split

That once you had kissed, ‘til now.’

 

‘That crystal ball is a lie,’ I said,

‘For none of it’s happened yet,

You’re looking far to a future that

My love will make you forget.’

But overhead was a thundercloud

And lightning shattered a tree,

While thunder rumbled and shook the ground

As if to admonish me.

 

‘I’ll always love you,’ I shouted out,

But then it began to rain,

The thunder clattered and drowned me out,

And all I could feel was pain,

I begged my lover to let me in

But she just ignored my pleas,

And then I noticed a woman in black

Watching me through the trees!

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Ocean]

The truth of the message here is that it reveals what is in our heart. We have all had stray thoughts and believed they couldn't be read by anyone but what we fail to remember is, what is in our heart shines through the window of our eyes. True love doesn't shy away but openly shines through those windows but when love is false then the shutters close and lovers can no longer bathe in the warmth. They don't need words because they sense the betrayal. Lovely poem reflecting deep understanding.

[Valentine]

David, an another amazing piece of work..it hits home to as many people crwl away in theirselves when things sad happen in their life..especially their love life.The sky does grey and the sun fails to come out..sad isn't it''Loved this one too another for my favorites pile..love and God bless Lyn and you..Kathie

[David Scott]

I liked the metaphors in this one. I felt less of a myth or fable and more of an exploration of fate and love. A questionioning of where one's fate lies. The twisting of facts to create the truth of the mind and thus the reality of the existence. Well, even more here, but that is a little scratch on the surface. Your writing will endure because if the complexities you wrap up in such simple packages. I thank you for your work with admiring applause.
Be well my friend!

[Marie]

Is the past haunting the future or the future haunting the past? Or both haunting the present...?

[Aya]

Wow this is flawless ! I love the story and your rythem and word choises are always beutiful.
Really great great work.

[Anniebugg]

Let me tell you David, I've read and re-read this several times. It has been the topic of discussion in this house on more than one occasion. I've taken this in so many different directions my brain is reeling. When I've come to a conclusion, I'll be ready to comment on the poem. Until then, I just wanted you to know you've got my old brain twisted in a knot.

[Clayton Bardwell]

Damn that woman in black! Can love ever conquer the dread one feels in their heart?

[Jo March]

I love this, love the pathetic fallacy and the imagery...very beautiful. A bit long but very good

[ms. barrie]

This is...Incredible! Amazing write! Oh this has taken me away, i love every verse you used here, rhythm and flow. This felt as though i was reading a hauntingly dark faerie tale! My your words, your writings take my breath away. I thank you for sharing this wonderful write, i really never wanted this poem to end! Your gift of words is astounding!