By the window she waits,
in song of a teaspoon
stirring her tea,
from the eaves a lament:
the drizzle
a sorrow of wasted tomorrows,
In rustle of leaves
his footfalls approaching
Tonight it’s All Hallows,
she waits for her lover to raise.
She waits for his coldness —
and the stake to his heart.
Tea drinking by
Konstantin Makovsky
I had to a second 55 for Kerry’s Halloween prompt at toads
—
October 31, 2015
Björn Rudbergs writings 
in song of a teaspoon Lovely line Bjorn
I happened to leave a comment on the song of a teaspoon.. so I had to write a poem on that.
Can really feel the tension! Bravo!
Oh my! What a contrast, I think. A cold lover? I don’t understand why she would wait for her ‘lover’ (is he really?) to raise. Why not celebrate that he is gone.
I thought of a vampire raising from his grave… 🙂 hence the stake..
I love the double meaning in “stake.” You are so clever. The drizzle (set off on its own line) is my favorite part of the poem. I’ve taken to drinking hot tea since I haven’t been feeling well, so I perceive the drizzle to be honey added to her cup. Not only is it yummy, but it also has healing properties. Perhaps no stake at all will be necessary and she will find all the comfort and protection she needs in her little polka-dotted cup of heated-just-so green tea.
I think maybe she’s actually closed all the windows, locked the doors, and turned off the lights. She might have even put a note on the front door saying “please do not ring the bell” so that she will not be disturbed, by trick-or-treaters or vampires who may have once claimed to be her lovers. I wonder if perhaps she’s no longer interested in killing anyone, even if their cruelty means they would deserve it.
I also wonder if she’s put poison in her own cup of tea.
I like the “song of a teaspoon” line. It does make a sweet tinkling. My first impression to the picture was “what is that get-up she’s wearing?!” Maybe high fashion back in those days or perhaps an All Hallow’s Eve costume? She also seems to be a cool little lady who’s waiting for her dead-cold lover to come knocking so she can deliver a stake to his heart. Hmm…
I think it’s a Russian dress…
This is really great, Björn. I love the way you set up the woman’s waiting in the beginning. I also enjoy to see how a poem grew from a comment on another poem – such a wonderful creative environment.
It’s not just the picture (though it helps) but the poem has a very Victorian era feel to it — classic gothic horror. Nicely done, sir.
Perfect for All Hallows Eve.
Very ominous and brooding feel to this, Bjorn, most suitable for the other side of All Hallows, the terror of the dead–yet your protagonist seems calm and powerful, totally in control–and I love the song of the stirring tea.
I also love the song of the stirring tea, and the idea of the wasted tomorrows–so sad that they are already wasted and haven’t yet been, yet we all know how that feels. Thanks. k.
Niiiccceee! Gave me some delicious shivers.
Loved the tone of this poetry … Happy Halloween 🙂
Nice!
My little guy was a vampire this year 🙂 although one that still held daddy’s hand. Stirring tea to staking a vampire – quite the evening she will have.
Delicious Bjorn.
Sounds like she’s waiting for a vampire. It also sounds like she’s fired someone to finish him off. Children are fascinated by vampires. My son dressed as Count Dracula one Halloween. Well done, Bjorn. 🙂
Oooh, nice spooky ending! Beautifully written altogether.
This is another one of your pieces that, to my mind, would lend itself well to a monotone chant – speeding towards the last dark stanza … like a song of sirens that lures unsuspecting souls to their doom.