A Banshee’s Lament

Author's note~ This poem was my first attempt at an Ottava Rima.
A Ottava Rima is a poem written in 8-line octaves. Each line is of a 10 or 11 syllable count in the following rhyme: abababcc, dededeff, ghghghii
This form was by far the most complicated I have tried so far.


A Banshee's Lamentation

Out of the peaceful darkness you hear it.
Distant at first, unfamiliar to your ears
Once a tranquil Eden, now a poisoned pit.
You flee in vain the wicked peel follows near
Opening your mouth, no sound will emit.
Grown closer the dread-filled skriegh raises your fear
Desperate to wake, your voice joins the squall,
Sweating and relieved up from your sheets you crawl.

The safety of your room warmly greets you.
With a sigh you relax, quietly lay still
From dark corners you’re filled with déjà vu.
Echoing terror returns, sharp and shrill
Harsh octaves of black sorrow sweep through.
You cross yourself, try to steady you will
Still unable to shake the pervasive fright,
You’ve naught to do but fly out into the night.

Shadow surrounds and a cold wind blows.
Chilling fair flesh, joining terrified soul
Your heart pleads for it to ease but it grows.
High and crisp, pushing you on as church bells toll
Searching the wood primeval you draw close.
Spying the offender, murder takes control
She looks familiar and you know her, how queer,
Her haunting howl is the last sound you hear.


written for:

ID: 1395163   (Rated: E) Ordinary Things Contest  A small stakes contest with a monthly prize by Topaz -- knighted!

Oct 2008
Prompt: "What does a scream sound like?" [forbidden word- scream]
Awarded FIRST

entered into

ID: 1518804   (Rated: 18+) EVERYONE HAS A HALLOWEEN STORY   Call4Submissions/ TIME4Tricks&Treats NO WORD LIMITS/ ENTER YEAR 3 Whoyagonnascare? TEFF? by MARY MOFFETT: TEFF

Oct 2009
Awarded SECOND (tie)