The Widow in Black

She wanders the streets and alleyways

When the nights are black as pitch,

Under a starless canopy

With the Moon drowned in a ditch,

The gas lamps flicker and sputter out

As the people peep through a crack,

With their blinds drawn tight, they peer in fright

For the ghostly Widow in Black.

 

She comes by after a drenching rain

With the gutters still awash,

Arising out of the cemetery

From the lands of Gog and Rosh.

The Judge had peered with his cold black eyes

At the prisoner, stood in the dock,

Who shivered, waiting to greet the night

In a plain and simple frock.

 

He’d placed the silk on over his wig

So she’d not have cause to hope,

She knew by then that her certain end

Was to hang at the end of a rope,

She had two days to compose herself

To make her peace with the Lord,

The Chaplain said he would shrive her, but

She saw him off with a word.

 

They said she’d poisoned her husband,

Well at least, her number three,

The other two had gone to their graves

Quite young, respectively,

They dragged her up to the gallows as

She kicked and screamed and cried,

And as the rope was around her neck

‘They lied,’ she said, ‘they lied!’

 

They pulled the lever aside, but then

The platform wouldn’t budge,

She screamed: ‘The Devil is with me, and

I’m going to get the Judge!’

They stomped and the platform fell away,

So she fell right through the deck,

The rope was taut in a moment, with

A snap, it broke her neck!

 

The Judge lies deep in his chambers with

The door locked every night,

He dare not light up a candle

As it may give out a light,

The blinds forever are fastened down,

The windows, behind bars,

Whenever the rain is pelting down

And the clouds obscure the stars.

 

For then he can hear the tap of steps

And the last words that she cried,

A shadow, clad in a cloak and cowl,

A nightmare of a bride,

He lies in terror, and waits for her

To slide in through a crack,

And take him off to the land of Gog

With her, the Widow in Black!

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Ravyne Hawke]

Such a ghastly ghostly tale. It's almost as though that old Judge knew she was innocent and that is why he is fearful when it rains. You did a wonderful job with the rhythm, rhyme and flow of this.. as always in perfect cadence. So glad to be reading you again!

[Tate Morgan]

Oh true Paget form here for sure. This was great . I imagine many a wicked woman did in her mate. But rarely are they this bitter as they walk to meet their fate.

[Marie]

If the devil was with her, I do't think she was an innocent victim.

[Paridhi]

Written very well . Each line builds up fear and excitement and enhances the beauty of the poem.

[Debbie_Philly]

WOW David you never cease to amaze me... every piece i read of yours is just brilliant.... every one... great , great piece.,... flowed so well and the story line held me captive :)

[Cryingkate]

AWESOME ! Thanks . I enjoyed this very much. It was like unto a treat of old fashioned styled quality of a multi- purposed great fast get away of a story.

[TL Boehm]

For then he can hear the tap of steps
And the last words that she cried,
A shadow, clad in a cloak and cowl,
A nightmare of a bride,

A chilling, creepy tale David. Well penned!

[annie lee]

Wow -- this reminds me of Poe! I like the cadence, and the building fear.

[Emerald Seas]

Living in fear is no way to live. Wonderful story telling!