'Redrum'

A poem about a classic novel/movie.

My name is Jack and I won't be back.

I lost my wits in an ax attack.

I went with the intention of working on my book.

At a hotel by the name of the 'Overlook'.

It was closed from October through May.

That's when we had our murderous stay.

My son would ride his trike round and round.

It was over an old Indian burial ground.

There was something wrong in room 237.

It made our stay a hell instead of a heaven.

When I went to that room I saw a beautiful lady.

When I went downstairs I saw a waiter named Grady.

Climbing out of the tub was a beautiful girl.

Until our kiss brought death and the tub was a swirl.

My son was chased by that ghost from the tub.

I froze in a maze, next to a shrub.

My son was mischievous and fell into a trance.

I confronted my demons at a ballroom dance.

I broke through a door, while in a craze.

I chased after my son through a snowy, hedge maze.

The hotel's 'Gold Room' was grand and tawny.

I stuck my head through a door and yelled, 'Here's Johnny'.

It was off-season and my writing was slow.

I checked out in a deluge of deep, icy snow.

I had imaginary chats with a bartender named LLoyd.

Those conversations took place in a psychological void.

The Grady girls horrified my son.

They would keep reappearing until their playing was done.

My wife knocked me unconscious with a baseball bat,

She and my son then fled in a frozen snowcat.

I trudged through the snow lacking agility.

The chef and his grandmother had telepathic ability.

My writing went unfinished not because I was lazy.

I got sidetracked because I went stir-crazy.

I typed and I typed with my fingertip.

I filled the pages of that manuscript.

Caretaker of that hotel was my employ; it's too bad that,

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy".

When we we left that hotel, there was no joy.

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy".

That hotel played with me like I was a toy.

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy".

An elevator door opened and there was a flood,

But it wasn't from water; it was from blood.

I grabbed an ax and took a swing.

That's how it was written by Stephen King.

They took that novel and made a flick.

That work was done by Stanley Kubrick.

I'm preserved in a photo dated 1921.

That's how it ended; that's when it was done.

Perhaps you think my title a bit awkward.

That's only because it's murder spelled backward.

I hope you found my writing designing,

because I'm really not Jack,

but this is 'The Shining' ...

Reviews

[Tony Jordan]

This film was on every Christmas time at such a late hour that I fell asleep about 6 or 7 times when I wanted to watch it the whole way through. I think part of the problem was watching it in bed with the covers almost over my head - not conducive to serious movie watching but not having to walk up the three flights of stairs with hairs standing on end to reach my bed if I'd watched it in the lounge !!
When I finally did see the whole thing I was a fan.
You clearly are a fan Pete!
You nailed the cross-eyed zaniness of Jack Nicholson and the whole mental feel of the film here.
Well done Pete.

[Pete]

you're funny. actually that movie really gives me the willies - very creepy.

[Tony Jordan]

I found his on screen wife to be more unsettling - can't explain why. She seemed so idk ...disconnected.
It is a great film.

[Pete]

yes, there is something creepy about shelly duvall.

[Michael X]

I really enjoyed this stage play of word theatrics! Felt like I was watching the scenes unfold in HD. Great job on this bro!

[Pete]

thanks man. I wasn't sure about this one. didn't think it would be interesting to folks or very readable. appreciate the read. i'll be round to read you soon. thank you.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"come play with us Danny"

ahhhhhhhhhhhh

Tony keeps waving his finger for me to come..."all work and no play makes jack a dull boy"

fun visit..although i think the woman was in room 217...she was a spooky dancer and that dance grew old, really fast.

[Pete]

hahaha - thank you j. a great novel/movie.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i agree on the book....his scariest....not so fond of how Kubrick did the film....

[Pete]

they both had me peeking around corners and hesitantly turning doorknobs for a while. King has an amazing talent. love the 'Shawshank Redemption' too.

[Hebe]

This poem has so many layers, it's kind of humerous, but not really, it's a nursery rhythm very playful, but you get lost in the craziness of the psycho madness... . a very unique piece of writing!

[Pete]

exactly! thank you.