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Sunday, September 11, 2011

Magpie Tales / Poem: Revenant

That I was surprised
at his return
an understatement
at the cold calculation
of his every move never

would the diabolical
alive become anything
less upon return
from the grave

perhaps in the depth
of his rest he might
think about our past
but can the dead think
and if so what would be
the difference

the cerebral gift he had
was plotting not thinking
certainly not feeling
not emotion     the cold
in life could not thaw
could not warm the heart

Freon pumped throughout
his body he must be
brittle cold -- unnerving
what can he want
from me --  in death
but to possess
the very warmth
of my breath
suck it out of me
and pull me under too.



Michael A. Wells


Magpie Tales



*photo credit - The Revenant, 1949, Andrew Wyeth

22 comments:

JJ Roa Rodriguez said...

nice take sir!

JJRod'z

Kay L. Davies said...

Well done. Can't quite say "nicely done" as it gives me the shivers, but that's the effect you were aiming at, I'm sure!
— K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Brandee Shafer said...

Mmm. Made me want you to tell what he was like BEFORE the grave. Great job!

Glenn Buttkus said...

Some of us, including Tess
have ghosts in our homes,
and thank the gods they are
more benevolent than the
spirit appearing in your piece;
it is primal in its fear factor,
and very nicely done.

Tumblewords: said...

Scarily delightful...

Isabel Doyle said...

'Freeon pumped through his body' - we've all met a few like that haven't we? Well captured creepiness!

Suz said...

I can't turn the lights out now

Maude Lynn said...

Well written creepiness! I love it!

Michael A. Wells said...

Thanks JJ! You Too Kay!

Brandee I don't think you really want to go there ;)

Glenn - I must know more about Tess's ghost...

Tumble can those two words really be used together :)

Isabel - even one is too many :)

Suz - I didn't think I would need a disclamer to warn people. LOL

Brian Miller said...

shivers...i hope that you get to keep your warmth...you bring him 'alive' and allow us to feel the shadow of his spectre

Reflections said...

Oooh... nice! Love the icy feel to this piece. Great write.

Ann Grenier said...

Yes I agree. I'm glad I'm not alone...and the sun is shining:-)

Tess Kincaid said...

Stellar write...bone chilling!

Mystic_Mom said...

Oh I love it, gave me the shivers. So I read it again, just for the shivers!

Margaret said...

I like to think of ghosts as harmless. You won't find me moving into any Victorian houses! Your ghosts remind me more of zombies ...something my son likes to talk about!

Stafford Ray said...

I'm with Margaret but I go one better and don't create any ghosts. I have enough trouble with the living!

Trellissimo said...

The poem gives one the shivers alright.

Michael A. Wells said...

Brian: seems a lot of people are feeling a draft LOL

Reflections - Thanks!

Carrie Van Horn said...

A chilling tale written amazingly....love this Michael!
:-)

Bijaylaxmi said...

Wow... It's an amazing piece of poem.. Love it..

Helen said...

I must say ... first time reading your piece was a thrill. Reading it aloud even better. I loved this.

Jingle Poetry At Olive Garden said...

what a brilliant entry,

you don't write that often, but when you do, you truly amaze us.
smiles.