The Girl with a Deadly Charm

The first time that I noticed them

I passed them on the stair,

She wore an amulet love-charm then

He was much too old for her.

I should have hurried and looked away

But I caught her smouldering eye,

And my heart had leapt within my breast

To this day, I wonder why?

 

Her hair, a tangle of lovers knots,

Her lips, a definite pout,

Her figure light and her legs were white

And I saw her look about.

She peeked behind as she passed me by

And I caught her knowing look,

The moment passed with the slightest sigh

I was firmly on her hook.

 

I didn’t go out of my way for her,

She seemed so firmly fixed,

The man beside her glowered at me

And gripped her by the wrist,

I saw him leading her often then

As our paths began to cross,

And smiled at her as she came my way

But her eyes looked vague, and lost.

 

The man came up and he gripped my arm,

‘You’d better leave her be.

Don’t think to fall for her fateful charm,

Giselle belongs to me!’

He pushed me then, and he walked away

And he gripped her arm so tight,

He stopped the blood where his fingers lay

And her hand went stark and white.

 

I asked a friend who had known her once,

He said, ‘Just keep away.

She labours under a curse, that one,

She only brings dismay.

You see the man who escorts her now

And you think he’s far too old,

A year ago he was twenty-two

But he aged once in her hold.’

 

I didn’t think it was possible

But he aged as time went on,

His hair and his beard went pale and grey

And his features, pale and wan,

Though she gained colour in both her cheeks

And her eyes would sparkle blue,

While he would stumble, but still cling on

Till she said, ‘I’m looking at you!’

 

As soon as she uttered those fateful words

His hand released its grip,

And she walked on, not looking back

As if on a different trip.

She came to face me and say the words

That had snared good men before,

But I turned into my passageway

Grey faced, and I locked the door.

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Barbz]

This mistress of illusion, might be a righteous gal. The man, before your eyes met, might shout, "A Femme Fatale". A beauty by description, the knowing glance you felt, might have been for you, alone. could cause a heart to melt. Those who saw her lover, age before their eyes, assumed that all this loveliness, was just a mere disguise. She touched you for a moment, but logic caused it brief. Yours was not a heart to steal....by her, this blue-eyed thief..........Deadly Charm?? perhaps not.......but your write ...a Definite Charm.....Barbz

[Ellen Hammond]

Your tales are always so intriguing and your poetic prowess is beyond reproach. No wonder you have long been one of my favorite poets.

[Valkyrie Warrior]

Wow, you are one of my favourite poets of all time!!! and this poem does not disappoint!

[MsJewel]

The images you have created are so vivid, I felt as though I watched this scene unfold. A great story within this well written poem. Best to keep that door locked!

:) Julie

[MomzillaNC]

Phew! Smart man to lock her out! This is like a new tale of the succubus.

[R Smith]

might have been a good move that David, clearly this woman had all the qualities of a vampire that gained life force from her unlucky partner, run for it if you see her coming, more masterful work :)

[Marie]

Sort of a vampire she was that fed on youth. The narrator was wise.

Or perhaps she was more of a deadly parasite.

[andrew mitchell]

My kind of reading a story in prose which holds you till the end. I liked the style and so well written, my kind of poetry.

[Lizardo]

I love the flow and the rhyming of the poem!
And the scene was so vivid in my head, I really enjoyed reading this interesting piece.
Great work!

[Lena M. P.]

Very well written. Gave me goosebumps.