Buried bones forgotten ash
below the hungry flagstones rests eternal love
I never cared about illicit cash
but hid my hands inside the gloves that Midas left
I soiled my soul
by bloodshed and the pilfered loot
My secrets safe and buried deep in garden holes
and there they feed the roots
for clues of blood soaked sins
the cherry blossom crimson red
shedding every spring
and therefore nothing more is told until I’m dead.
my Bluebeard secrets will never part
until the night my grave is dug to sow
and let my body’s blood immerse disgraceful dirt
to solve my heinous puzzle embedded, hidden deep below.
Gustave Dore
Today we are written broken couplets with Grace at dVerse, I have tried to break them in as many ways I could, but there could be more.
October 1, 2026
The uneven lines of the couplet works as well as the contradiction of the couplets, examples : not caring for illicit cash versus hiding of hands inside gloves of Midas
e.g. spring/life versus dead.
shedding every spring
and therefore nothing more is told until I’m dead.
I think breaking up the form is fun to do. Have a good night Bjorn!
I had a lot of fun writing this
You really went for it, Björn, and with a great result! I love that you took on the character of Bluebeard in the first person and gave him a resonant voice. I especially like the almost internal rhyme in ‘I soiled my soul’ and the hint at assonance in ‘bloodshed and the pilfered loot’.
It would be fun to read aloud… but perhaps a bit sinister 🙂
The fun you had in writing it is quite obvious! It is devious, sinister and great to read aloud.
Thanks… it was pure joy to write
My pleasure.
the broken couplets suit Bluebeard’s narrative – the telling of clues like a puzzle almost
“hungry flagstones” this really is so striking
A lot of things can be hidden underneath
Bluebeard.brought to light reveals his truth
BRAVO
much love
and breaking up his coupling
Nice one Bjorn, I loved the subject matter and you personifying as your own version of BlueBird 💛
It was fun to imagine
So many great contradictions, not the least of which is the springtime imagery contrasted with the blood litany. Loved it.
Thank you… I liked to write it.
An unsavory character detailed in broken couplets…very fitting, Bjorn!
Indeed.. very unsavory
I enjoyed the topic of Bluebeard for broken couples to go with all your broken couplets. Nicely done.
He did what he could breaking couples.
this is great. the discord really works
Thank you… with such a character breaking is the natural move
ha you had me at the title. I think his darkest secrets will remain hidden. Great use of the broken couplets
There is probably many layers of darkness… there is a limit what can be found.
Excellent, discordant couplets!
for a discordant couple
for clues of blood soaked sins
the cherry blossom crimson red
The dark secrets of Bluebeard intact though no mention of the 6 wives. Still the notion of the crimes were felt throughout your poem. Great lines Bjorn, love it!
Hank
Not a room for this Bluebeard but still deep below
A great set of couplets, Bjorn.
Thank you