(56) When The Axe Falls

She had been sent to the tower
Refused a kings advances and power
To face for what would be her fate
For the executioner she would wait

But the executioner was secretly in love with her
He would fight for her if they could be together
But he knew he did not want her to die
To save her, he was willing to try

She told him no, this was not the way
She would have to die when came that day
She gave a kiss to the executioner's cheek
Said, in Heaven, his love she would seek

On her last night he took her as his lover
Because she would never take another
The executioner did not want her to go
She said he would always have her soul

On the day she came, at last, to her fate
For to save her, it was far too late
In his mask, he cried, no one could tell
For him she loved, then the axe fell

copyright Chris Smith 2008

Reviews

[ice]

I love these kind of dramatic tales--The fabric of them being woven from the threads of a poets mind into tapestries, dark or light, according to the writers mood.
Crying behind his mask, makes the executioner more human, and in my mind could be changed to mean other different things.
Like someone who loves someone, say a man loves a woman, but she is getting married, and on the day of the wedding (execution) he cries behind his mask (the smile on his face)
enjoyed

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

Love this poem! flow was great, and imagination wonderful!

[Maggie]

I couldn't have done it...the executioner should have saved her!!! So sad...but tragically beautiful

[typingaway]

This was amazing! I didn't want the poem to finish, :P

Amazing write, well done.

[MichelleClay]

Wow really liked this one. I actually wanted more! X

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

bittersweet classically written tale of yore~ the torn heart~ one piece here~one piece there~ well done~

[M.Babu]

I like this method of writing poetry. Telling a fully fledged story in poetic prose really keeps me entertained...i felt you loosened up on the rhyme scheme as the poem went along which did it good. It contrasted sharply with the point in storytelling (playful-er rhymes as the plot got serious-er) really did it well. I felt a tinge of musicality when reading this:) so well done for your structure and phrasing Chris.
Thrillingly tragic tale of love lost too soon. Nice!

[Coyote Poetry]

I like history. Your story is one of the interesting ones. To know death was coming and unable to stop death. Would twist a mind and emotion up. I like how you told the story in the poem. To be killed by a lover is a interesting ending. A outstanding poem.
Coyote

[Ashley]

very different from what i've been reading lately. loved it. an excellently told story in a few stanzas.

[HopelesslyDevoted]

full of suspense... wow, this really had me on the edge of my seat

[Amy Bumpas]

This story flowed well together, and I really liked the
rhyming.