When I Walk by the Weir

I listen as torrents cascade and crash,

crying out, not in whispers but rage,

my ears deafened to the downstream surge.

Flashbacks to Victorian darkness,

a baby farmer, outwardly respectable,

in receipt of payments to care for newly born

of single working Mothers, of the poor, sick

and disadvantaged souls in society

in exchange for provision of protective love.

Her false promises, eventually laid bare.

A parcel with her address still evident

was fished from the waters by a bargeman.

Grisly contents of a strangled babe surfaced.

She did this to earn a living over decades,

unexposed how many perished this way.

Amelia Dyer took her secrets to her grave,

condemned to hang for her ghastly wickedness,

apparently meeting her end in merciful quickness.

When I walk by the weir, all beauty is lost.

Instead, the icy frost of her presence lingers

while I mourn those murdered mites.

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

WOW, I had never heard of Amelia Dyer till I read your poem and then I googled her and found out what a despicable individual she was....baby farming! How could someone trained as a nurse become a serial killer? It is unthinkable. She either sold babies or killed them...horrible! I can imagine how you feel as you walk by the weir. Incredible. Thank you for teaching me something today. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

I love myth and tale. This was wonderful.
"When I walk by the weir, all beauty is lost.
Instead, the icy frost of her presence lingers
while I mourn those murdered mites. "
The above lines. Perfect. Thank you Chris for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Coyote for your kind response. All good wishes to you.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Chris and have some fun and be safe.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you :))

[Onlyme]

This is really tragic and so sad. Beautifully expressed and heartfelt Chris. You did it justice. Such times were cruel and wicked.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dawn. It amazes me it took so long for her to get found out.

Chris

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

I love babies. I adore them and anything tragic about them sends me into a depression instantly. You have narrated the story in beautiful, elegant verses. The last verse sends shivers down the spine. May hell not spare her.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dhara. Yes, chilling how much damage she inflicted on those poor innocents.

Chris

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

You are welcome Chris :)

[Papaya]

Gosh, that is chilling. So tragic.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ana. Terrible tragedy for those poor innocents. Beyond chilling.

Chris

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

I have goosebumps ...I am not sure I could look over into the water or even walk the water's way. such an eerie presence even in the memories. Great haunt Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Queenie. Love that new avatar. I don't go there often, there are so many other parts of the river truly gorgeous, but once in a while have to cross near the weir where this happened all those years ago. When I do, I can't help thinking about it. Thank you

Chris

[Crowley]

This a dark and foreboding piece. Now I have to look up the Baby Farmers I am not privy to what that was. Your strength is always in harnessing a tone that fits the subject matter so perfectly. You are as much of a landscape artist as you are a writer. Wonderful stuff here Christine!!!

[Chris Shaw]

What a wonderful compliment you have just paid me Crowley. Very gratefully received.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Eerie.
Ices the spine.
A poem to be recited at Poe revivals and around midnight deep woods campfires.
Compelling!

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Jimmy. Yes, spine tingling in its darkness.

Chris

[Dave]

For never having heard of her you certainly made her come to life for me. Your descriptions of the cascading waters, the icy frost to be found in her emphasis the coldness and cruelty of her crimes. I could almost see and hear her insane mutterings as she deposited the poor lifeless bodies into the water.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes Dave, she had a record of severe mental health illness, yet she could still look after other people's babies. Mind boggling by today's standards. Quite a horror. It would be bad enough if it was a story, but this is true and she could have murdered up to 400 babes. Makes the blood run cold.

Chris

[Dave]

O.M.G.! That many? I wonder why it took anyone so long to catch on to her.
Take care - Dave

[Einstein Noodle]

I was engrossed in the sounds, textures and rush of water in V1 ... i especially enjoy the mist that kisses those in close proximity of fast moving waters .. but the enchantment soon turned and chilled my blood, Christine ... a horrific story told with strokes of a broad sword .. I had not heard of her .. i think the very earth moans at the murder of the innocent ... best not to forget such brutal and tragic insanity .. best not to give up fighting for life. sobering read for me ... well told ... your closing pierces with icy fingers ..
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Mr E. I had been thinking about writing about her for sometime, but it took a while to get round to it. Her story absolutely chilling. Hard to believe in that degree of evil.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

one can see it in her eyes and face ..... brrrrrrrrrrrrrr evil indeed

[Chris Shaw]

You googled? Yes, no compassion there at all. Pure evil and up to 400 may have perished at this monster's hands. :( Shivering as I write.

[Einstein Noodle]

well ...we are joined in mourning the loss .. in feeling the gaping hole left by those babes ...i cling to the belief they are in God's great hands of love ... and are much happier than you or i ;) i hold hands with you and everyone like you today ... i hope you can feel it

[Chris Shaw]

I do feel it and I also hope those mites are at peace. They deserve to be remembered. Her evilness has been swept under the carpet. Not many even know of her and she resided virtually on my doorstep all those years ago. Thank you Mr E.

Chris