steve1223 Poetry (718)

They talked for hours about what had happened. When Gresunda was swept under the waves the current pushed her into a cave in the cliffs. There was an airspace further in where she lay exhausted for hours on the rocks. When the sea calmed and tide receded there was just the hint of an opening from the inside where the light shone in. It was then she could swim back out to safety.

Not finding Volker she thought that he had died trying to rescue her. He had already left Hamburg for the forest not even speaking to anyone. He had trudged up into the forest wrapped so heavily in his misery and despair that he was oblivious to anything around him. None of the villagers had seen him go so they accepted the belief that Volker had died.

There had been rumours over the years of a beast like a man living in the forest but they were always dismissed as just being urban legends to frighten children. No-one had ever made the connection, and why would they, that it was Volker living there.

It seemed that years had dropped off Gresunda’s age. She gave the impression that she stood taller and had regained some energy. She took him by the hand to lead him around. Those older folk who remembered Volker were amazed, it was like seeing a person resurrected from the dead. There was much joy and tears of happiness. Those who were too young to know him marvelled at the tale told.

Eventually Volker told of how he came to be here and what he witnessed back at Hamburg. When he finished his story everyone realised how blessed they were to be here alive. It was their turn to tell Volker of how they came to be here. There were so many trying to talk that Mara had to intervene and appoint one person to tell the tale.

When the story was finished they realised that had it not been for God’s gift they would not be alive today. It was decided almost unanimously to pray and give thanks to God. They prayed for quite a while, each joining in and giving their own personal thanks. Many a person had tears sitting in their eyes. Slowly the sun sank and it was the time to retire for the night. Today had been a day of miracles.


THE END

Epilogue


God was true to his word. God is always true to his word it is only that sometimes people do not realise this. The settlement called Hahndorf thrived under the leadership of Mara and Hulderic. They planted the vines that God had given them and these vines flourished. Their fruit was ripe and juicy and using the techniques that were taught to them produced many varieties of wines. They used the names given to them by God. Names such as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Tokay, Muscat and even Sherry and Port. Everyone liked the new drinks and enthusiastically accepted them. But it seemed they were producing them faster than could be drunk and the warehouses were filling up.

The area was so fertile that Hahndorf rapidly grew and in the matter of a few short years there was a bustling village established. Houses they built out of stone which was in plentiful supply. There was no comparing the ramshackle village of Hamburg to the bustling town of Hahndorf. They even laid stones to form streets between the houses so that no-one need walk in mud.

It must have been about the fifth year since arriving that a group of explorers walked out of the woods into the town. It was rather comical to see their expressions when they realised there was a complete town here. Apparently these people had only just landed on this continent this past year and found it inhabited only by black savages. No way could they imagine that a complete town existed here. They were made welcome and food and drink was traded.

These explorers returned to the coast and set up a settlement and many others followed. This settlement was called Adelaide. Trade routes were established and what Hahndorf produced was avidly sought after. They produced various cold meats, cheeses, Biers and of course the wines. These wines became so famous that they were exported all over the known world.

Volker and Gresunda still spent many years together. Even though both were of advanced age it seemed as if God had given them both some of their youth back. When the time came to pass on they both died in their sleep still wrapped in each others arms. Neither one had to endure losing the other again. It was whispered that God had taken them home together to bless them.

Mara and Hulderic had many children and grandchildren and even great grandchildren before it was their turn to return to their heavenly home. It would seem that sometimes love can last a lifetime. In the centre of Hahndorf if you go there these days you will see a giant monument to Mara and Hulderic. The fame of Hahndorf has now spread world wide and there are not many people that have not heard of it. Many tourists go there to visit and to purchase the nectar of the Gods. Although Hahndorf is famous there are not many people that know the real story of how it became established. You are now one of the rare few.

In the middle of the night I was awoken
By my bed this figure dark and scary
Robes of black and with scythe in hand
I thought that surely my time had come

You're safe, he said with gravelly voice
If a favour you'll do for me tonight
Can't remember when last I had a break
A holiday is what I really need

My knees were knocking ever so loudly
A terror had come over me
If I said no, then what would happen
Something I really did not want to see

I nodded yes and as quick as a flash
Was suddenly dressed in black
I'll be back said he with a smile
Now looking ever so normal

Been doing this job for I don't know
Seems to be like centuries
Forgot to ask how long he'd be
I think death has conned me

Beware, for one of these nights
At your bed I'll be standing
And this offer I will make to you
Or else your life I'll harvest

The noise in the cellar becomes so loud
The snuffling and huffling, growling and all
Shut up, I yelled down this tiny opening
Tonight you'll be dining on white bread and water

The noises they turned from anger to sorrow
With pleading and begging and lots of I'm sorry
Now my heart was cold and turned to stone
Not once did I care for what was below

Not once, not twice but so many times gone past
I warned her over and over what her actions bring
She laughed, kept going, made life a misery
Now under my floor in the cellar she is

Sign on front door says room for rent
If you're happy and cheerful room is quite cheap
But beware, I warn you if nasty you'll be
In the cellar company you'll keep

This mind of mine goes round and round
My goodness what a mess it's in
When I think left it goes right
And right is something else
It's getting so bad I don't know
Who or what I am
When I stand up my bum's on the chair
And sitting my backs on the ground
I'm so hungry that I need to sleep
But first I'll drink a steak
I'll have it with shoes served on a sheet
And maybe some pickled mice
Oh dear me I'm so confused
My mind is all in a whirl

Whistle blowing, train is leaving
I can see them coming down the street
Hide behind a building, they pass me
Then I step out and call their names

They turn and begin to fire
Bullets whistling all around
Managed to shoot and kill one
Still leaves three I have to face

Running quickly behind the stables
Feel a bullet wing my arm
Burns like fire yet I can't stand here
Otherwise they'll shoot me down

Into the stable and up in the loft
Trying to see where they are hiding
In runs one and shoots up at me
Squeeze the trigger and shoot him down

Through the air a lantern is flying
Setting fire to the hay below
Not much time before all is burning
Loosen horses and ride out with them

In the Main street horse it stumbles
Throws me down onto the ground
With bullets flying all around me
Raced to cover inside the Saddlery

Low on bullets, think my time has come
A new shot sound, and down one went
Who was this one that came to aid me
Oh my God, it was my sweet Amy

He had her there with gun to head
Was me he wanted, murder in his heart
Out I stepped to face him man to man
But he would have none of that

Just then Amy turned and his face hit
Took my chance and went for gun
We shot it out face to face right there
True my aim was, dead he bit the dust

From everywhere people came talking all at once
The boy he came with buckboard loaded
And Amy I helped aboard ready for leaving
There was but one thing left to do

With disgust on my face I surveyed the crowd
None dared to match my stare
Plucked the badge from my shirt
Threw it at their feet right into the dust

Mounted buckboard and took the reins
Off we went not a single look back
Down the trail there is a new town
And with this come a new life

Kickit rolled into town
Tyres hot and smoking
Pulled up next to Billiegirl's van
A Kombi with purple flowers
Hand in hand they walked along
Slyly stealing kisses
Round and around the poets cheered
Two legends to see united
Jazzy was there pacing around
Busy writing some poetry
Finding out that's not so easy to write
One that smokes with intensity
Pinkpoetress was helping her
Encouraging her writing
Happygolucky when she arrived
Off into the woods she ran
Last words heard 'one of these frogs'
Then out she came with handsome man
Surely a Prince of some sort
Only thing that seemed bit strange
Was the glow of green from skin
There was Redex with brush in hand
Practising poetry for performance
Back and forth she waved it around
Until finally she was happy
Poetnumber1 in Porsche arrives
With lots of girls in tow
Just came back from holidays
With all his fresh new poems
Earlgreytea so sober stood
Conversing with SundaySilence
Inside the place was really jumping
Up stood elo to read new poem
This poem titled 'Frustrated'
He waved his hand, a hush fell
And then he spoke his poem

Frustrated

The crowd went wild for never before
Had they heard a poem so succinct
A poem of only one word
That was never heard of before
Next came Fellsman, a man, a legend
Who's poetry was so precise
The crowd so silent, mouths wide open
The words as sweet as honey
The words they rhymed back and forth
They rhymed up and down
And just to show how good he was
He rhymed them inside out
One after another up they came
There was niah and marikia
With Topaz underfoot
Followed by Odette and andrew
Agoodguy and cafetwo and Country Lady
Netman, boyshchrm and paloma
Thelmatalla up she stood
To read her 'I Love You CS Poets'
Swade read while Ladybee watched
And Mcduff made ready to recite
Ayhra though tired from Adelaide came
Not wishing to miss the bash
Itchywitch from Ireland flew in
On a sad old tired broom
And even freepoetry made appearance
SunNieS gLinnTing bY StagELighT
One by one up they went
Then finally it finished
The crowd was hoarse and with aching hands
All worn out and tired
The day was done
Each read their work
Next year there'll be another

Today was the day my bride I did wed
Promised to hang up my guns forever
Far too long I've worked here as Marshall
Amy and I will leave town today

Up they run yelling Marshall, Marshall
You'd better hurry and leave town right now
Frank Miller has gone and got outa jail
Coming to town to shoot you down

Packed was the buckboard ready to leave
My poor Amy was so scared
Please Will let's hurry, we need to go now
I don't want to see you dying

Off we started across the prairie
When suddenly I thought this I can't do
Sorry dear Amy, I have to go back
Sometimes there are things a man must do

Though Amy did plead, beg and cry
The buckboard I turned, headed back home
There I must face Frank Miller and his gang
For I could not live as a craven coward

Down by the station Frank's brother is waiting
Waiting for the train to come at high noon
Then the gang would get together
Coming to kill me, kill me stone dead

I'll go round town to form a posse
With deputies we'll sort them out quick
But they all run scared, turn their back
Left for a boy and a drunk to assist

Just left the church, had a big meeting
Deciding if help they would give to me
Thomas Mitchel summed it all up
Bad for business to have a fight in the street

I can hear the minutes tick in my head
Closer and closer to high noon
I can almost hear the train coming
My last will, I think I'd better write

Down at the station Ben and two others
Anticipating Frank's bloody revenge
Four would come to stand before me
And I would face them all alone

Everywhere I look the streets are empty
All are hiding in their cowardice
Even the judge packing scales and flag
Runs to hide from Frank's revenge

I can hear the mournful whistle
Cutting through the eerie silence
Check my guns, they're fully loaded
Today I'll stand or I will die

Standing in the mid of Main street
I can hear the train pulling in
Any minute they'll be coming
Frank and Ben and their two cahoots

Watch my Amy in buggy pass me
On her way to catch the train
Even she is leaving me alone now
Doesn't want to watch me die

In the midst of night when all alone
This sadness wraps around me
For all my sins I must atone
And beg them all their forgiveness

Ten thousand angels on pinhead dance
To the sound of an Irish jig
While below in hell devils prance
To wild unbridled passions

He who speaks words of love and peace
Against those that rant for war
Tell them now that war must cease
That all this killing's done

In the depths of jungles deep
Where danger lurks below every tree
There I suggest you do not sleep
Or you may not wake tomorrow

All these things through mind's eye pass
As sleep through my fingers slip
So here my friend, raise wine glass
And I'll toast to a better tomorrow

Howling wind through the barren wasteland of my mind
I scream, and the screams echoes over and over
Ripped to shreds by the violent putrid wind
And the tatters still hang there fading into eternity

I am here a prisoner behind these bloodshot eyes
Can you not see me, can you not hear my silent screams
Begging to be set free, allowed to escape my captivity
I am locked in this shell, they pretend I am insane

Arms and legs are covered in scars, it was not I
They must have done it although they claim I cut myself
I see the cuts and I can faintly recall seeing the blade
Slowly slicing, skin parting, the blood slowly welling

It was not my hand that held the knife, not I that cut
It was another, they wish to hurt me, to drive me crazy
Please I need help, save me before they return
I can feel the walls closing in again, too late, too late

THIEVES

This agony, like nothing before
I'm hanging on a cross
If only I had led a better life
Here I'd not be

My friend and I, thieves we are
This way to die our lot
But him, the one called Jesus
What had he done for this


The soldiers here they mocked him so
And so did my friend
I tried to tell him cease and desist
For this was a man of God

Was then he turned and looked at me
Compassion on his face
Through the pain he spoke quite clear
Today you shall be in paradise with me


WOMAN FOLLOWER

How cruel it is to see Jesus
Suffer so much pain
Below his feet some soldiers sat
Gambling for his clothes

The priests and elders stood below
Hurling up abuse
Save thyself if thou canst
For are you not Son of God

On and on they taunted him
Never once letting up
Broke my heart to see this happen
Jesus treated this way

I hear him cry to God his father
As he took upon him all our sins
Breathed his last, the spirit left
And Jesus died that day

The earth it shook
And the sky it darkened
Was then people greatly feared
Truly this was the Son of God

All around me the women wept
As he was taken from the cross
Wrapped in clean linen cloth
And placed in Joseph's tomb

There he lay, his place of rest
This tomb hewn out of rock
The entrance of the tomb secure
A great stone rolled across the door


MARY MAGDALENE

We have lost him, we lost Jesus
How could this possibly be
Sadly I and Mary
Made our way to the tomb

The earth it shook
And there was an angel
His face like lightning
And garment white as snow

There he sat upon the rock
No longer across the door
Fear not, he quietly spoke
Him you seek is no longer here

Did Jesus not tell to you
That death would have no hold
Three days he lay in tomb
But now he's back again

With fear and joy we raced away
To find all the disciples
Back they came to see for themselves
This tomb that stood so empty

On the way they were met by Jesus
They cried and worshipped him
Tell them all to go to Galilee
And there they shall all see me

Days are filled with lonely nights
And nights are cold and barren
Then I dream these dreams of you
Of a life left so far behind me

All these lies you told to cover lust
Your lust not for me but someone other
It seems that in the stakes of love
My call you would not answer

I can understand if love was lost
No longer there between us
Why these lies to cover all up
That your heart now belongs to another

So take the joy that once we had
The trust, the hopes and all the dreams
Pack it in with the future we had
And take all these things with you

I'd rather spend my nights alone
Than to live a life of lies
At least I know somewhere, sometime
I'll find a love that's mine