The Poem

I ripped the sheet from the writing pad

And screwed it up with a curse,

Nothing is worse! I’m fighting mad

When I can’t find a rhyme for a verse,

So the hour or two that I’d spent before

Had left Michelle in the air,

I hadn’t managed to rescue her

From the clutch of Jonathon Clare.

 

I tossed the sheet and it hit the bin

And I heard a cry of pain,

‘You’re not just going to leave me here,

Are you suddenly stark insane?

He’s got me tied to a chair down here

In a cellar, dark and damp,

But you’re just going to walk away?

And you call yourself a man!’

 

I pulled the sheet from the rubbish bin,

I couldn’t believe my ears,

Straightened it out, the crumpled mess,

The sheet was covered in tears,

‘You’re only a paper name, Michelle,

I’ve given up on your fall,

And Jonathon Clare, he’s gone as well,

I’ve screwed him up in a ball.’

 

‘You think,’ she sneered, ‘well he’s here with me,

And you’ve given him evil eyes,

You've left me stuck with a monster, with

A knife, you realise!

He said he’s going to carve me up

Do I have to scream and shout?’

‘He’ll have to wait ‘til I give my leave

And I won’t, I’ll cross him out!’

 

I took a pencil and crossed him out,

The evil Jonathon Clare,

Took the knife that he’d held on her

And cut her out of the chair.

‘Are you happy now, that you’re free to go,

I’ve done the best that I can.’

‘But leave me still in the cellar here?

By God, you’re a cruel man!’

 

I took the pencil and stabbed the sheet

And rolled my eyes in despair,

I shouldn’t have used the name ‘Michelle’

For I’d used the name elsewhere.

That girl gave everyone trouble, when

I scrawled ‘Michelle’ with my pen,

Always bleating her civil rights

When I rescued her, back then.

 

‘Will you just shut up, I’ve had enough

From a girl who’s make-believe,

You shouldn’t be able to question me

Or the plots that I can’t retrieve.’

‘So I’m not to be given a say in things

The hell that you put me through?

You treat me like a chattel of yours,

That’s nice! - That’s fine for you!’

 

I took the pen and scribbled a line

That would tie her to the stake,

Down in a Spanish courtyard back

In Fifteen Eighty-Eight,

I put a match to the crumpled sheet

And I said, ‘farewell Michelle!’

(Before I scribble that name again

I’ll burn in the fires of Hell!)

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Veronica Chandler]

Fascinating idea...the characters coming to life and talking to the writer. I would think if they are so very real to the writer, then they would breathe in the mind of the reader. With that said, if my characters come to life and start a conversation with me, I sense a trip to the loony bin in my immediate future. As usual I enjoyed the piece immensely.

[ROSALIND]

Wow really got me going super amazing piece of writing so gifted

[Stella Armour]

haha,, one way of getting rid of an unsuitable muse..i have to admit i have discarded a few myself but not into the flames.i am finding that your poems flow beautifully and i am fast becoming addicted.. :o)

[TL Boehm]

love this. I write novels and there are times when it seems the characters talk to me. But then I am an opportunist and I don't usually throw anything away.

[Patricia B. Hepler]

A wonderful story line, David! Amazing.
~pat

[minisla]

Once again I loved the flow of this.

[redflutterby]

Great poem David. As I write this characters from my unfinished novel are cursing profusely at me. No doubt bored out of their minds being locked in the last scene I wrote. Horror of horrors!!

[Lena M. P.]

I think you are spending too many hours alone by yourself with only your thought s and pen. LOL When the voices start talking back you are definitely in trouble. Great imaginative piece.

[Yellow Butterfly]

This was absolutely amazing and fascinating read... I was totally gripped with the way you cleverly penned this charming and witty poem.

My first read from your work Mr DLP and I enjoyed it very much

Thank you

[Zahra]

very well written, thanks for sharing.

[Valentine]

Fantastic write, funny you know just how to cheer me up when I need it..I loved the idea of the lines of your poem giving you back some trouble..Nice One..Kathie