The Ending

The wind grew chill on a summer’s day

And the clouds built up outside,

‘It looks like a storm is coming our way,’

Said the folk of Ezra’s Pride,

The sea rose up in a mighty swirl

And it swamped their coastal town,

‘I think there’s something wrong with the world,’

Said the blacksmith, Helmut Brown.

He left the forge as the fire went out

Under the tidal surge,

And looked to heaven as folk would shout

‘The sea and the sky have merged.’

For the clouds above were purple and gold

The horizon coloured the same,

The ground beneath had rumbled and groaned

As it came, the pelting rain.

He went to look for his Isabelle

In the cottage down by the shore,

The water there was draining away

Then it hit the eaves once more,

And she clung onto the cottage roof

Where it swept her there in fright,

She cried to Helmut, ‘Just get me down,

I fear for my life tonight.’

So he took her down in his brawny arms

And he waded through the flood,

‘I’ll keep you safe from the world’s alarms,’

As he walked through seas of mud,

He walked her up to the higher ground

As the lightning lit the sky,

‘I’ll not let anything happen to you

For in truth, I’d rather die.’

But then the ground had opened up

In a crevice, ten feet deep,

And he was parted from Isabelle,

Who stood on the side more steep,

‘How can I come on back to you,’ 

The love of his life had cried,

As he stood still as the crevice grew

So wide, on the other side.

‘The world is trying to tell us things,

It’s tearing us all apart,

Perhaps we haven’t been kind to it,

It’s punishing us, sweetheart.’

And she had moaned, his Isabelle,

Stood out in the pouring rain,

‘Well what have I ever done to it?

The planet is going insane.’

Then the thunder growled up overhead,

As if to refute a lie,

‘It’s you who are insane,’ it said,

‘Get ready to say goodbye.’

And a lava flow came down the hill

In a stream, and glowing red,

‘Don’t let it come near you, Isabelle,

Just a touch, and you’ll be dead.’

We’ll leave them there on that distant hill

Where the world keeps them apart,

‘Why should you be untouched,’ it said,

‘When you folk have broken my heart.

You have drilled through me, and spilled on me,

And have fouled my lakes and seas,

Why should I leave your perfect love

When I’m filled with your disease?’

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Omikron]

Once again, I am lost for words by your phenomenal writing. This is beyond fantastic, this is poetry on a whole different level. It might be that I am young and unexperienced, and therefore more than dazzled by your work, regardless, this was... truly pleasant to read, even though the poem isn't very pleasant itself.

The ending hit me like a bolt. It sticks with you.

I am officially your biggest fan. What a great poem. Thank you for this.

// O

[A Soap Mess Stories]

Always a delight to read your tales.

[T.S. Sky]

Wow wow wow! You my friend are a genius. Incredible writings!

[Valentine]

Surprise ending. This sounds like the southern states fighting drilling as they think it is causing the tremors of the earthquakes that have not came full force yet. I lived on the San Madrid fault and a few times that shaking was eerie. The earth needs a chance to speak and defend itself. Valentine

[Avinash]

Nature is bound to give back for what humans have been doing to her. In older times we lived according to the rules of nature but now in order to tame it we have left none of its gifts unabused.

[Tony Jordan]

Hell hath no fury like Mother Earth scorned!!
A fantastical tale filled with thrills and a strong message David.
My jaw dropped at the extra skill you brought to this one in some of those rhymes. I dont know how you do it. A Masterclass.
:)