Bathory

A tale of the notorious Countess Bathory.

In,

Out,

Dances the needle,

A taunt to those who've suffered by its hand,

An answer for those torn,

 

In,

Out,

The whispers scamper on,

Taking Christ's wine,

Tainting the sacred word,

 

In,

Out,

Of virgin's blood and a dead man's gold,

Of a Palatine's whim,

And of a bitter w***e,

 

In,

Out,

A masquerade of greedy pigs preach,

Hiding their truth,

Pressing their gains,

 

In,

Out,

Whose delicate hands,

And dark, reddened lips,

Never batting a painted eye,

 

In,

Out,

Their tongues of silver drew more blood than I,

For all my fragile bones,

And a mouth that spoke a word too soon,

 

Silence,

 

I am no demon,

I need no blood but that of my Lord,

I am but a woman,

And that is my only sin.

Reviews

[TL Boehm]

So this gem was sent to me and I admit I had to go refresh my memory on the lore surrounding Countess Bathory. Then I read the poem again and pretty much fell of my chair. This is fantastic poetry - so simple yet riveting in intensity. Especially that last stanza. I do a lot of genealogy research and so often the story that remains completely eclipses the person who lived and breathed. This poem speaks to that so eloquently.

[Anne Bathory]

Thank you so much!
I discovered Bathory about a year ago and have been obsessed with her ever since. She's so much more than female Dracula history paints her to be. An incredibly intelligent woman for her time, a wealthy widow left to a starving court as well as a woman who in her childhood erupted into violent rages that may have fueled the penchant for violence against her servants. I think all in all, she was either the most screwed over woman in history or the world's most incredible sociopath.

[Princeps Angelus Mors]

I still think the "world's most incredible sociopath" award should go to Gilles de Rais. And if you want the "most screwed over" person in history I'd go with Rasputin.

[TL Boehm]

oh my - two brains on one page. I'm trying to do my day job and the both of you are making me want to plant myself on google for the rest of the day looking for information on people and personality types.

[Princeps Angelus Mors]

"BRAINS!" said George, the zombie.

[TL Boehm]

I love smart people. I'm very skewed in my intelligence so when some one is really smart - oh - its awesome. Especially "thinking" writers like the two of you.

[Princeps Angelus Mors]

I'm truly flattered, dearie. Thanks a bunch!

[Emily B]

I would like to add my appreciation to the sturdy pile of wonderful things said on behalf of your work here. Any student of history who can invoke such a stunning portrait of the past is top shelf in my book.

[icelandicblue]

What a fabulous historical poem. I especially liked the in out repeating with each stanza. Do you know she was convicted by one witness? It's a shivery tale of death dabbling in the occult. Great poem.

[SyberRose]

An sinfully delicious we are ha...Enjoyed Anne...Rose:)

[Vincent Moore]

You had me at "In Out" your metaphors are exquisite. Your artistic play on words and verse tantalizing to my soul. I enjoyed and savored every word and digested them with a glass of my finest red wine. Bravo, I applaud you my poet. Highly rated, tweeted and shared.

[Anne Bathory]

Thank you so much!
This means a lot coming from a poet like yourself,
I am most gracious for your kind words.

[Friday]

Efficient expression, a bit anxious too. Very good!