There is still the echo of cannon-fire
tucked inside the alcoves
the shadow of men with broadswords
across the window ledges,
whispers of skirts on floorboard,
creaking corsets and stubborn doors,
muted conversations,
murmured lovers’ words,
and the echo of a family,
some gone, some misplaced, some safe.
We remember the thrum of armies,
where they marched on stone, on grass, on soil.
Where we lay, were built, and fell,
where you now walk on summer days
when the sun is high and bright,
and there was nothing else much to do
but visit local sights.
We will stand here still,
until the years pass on too far,
and then there will be no stories for us to tell
and no walls to talk anymore.
Don’t entirely sure what I think of this piece as my brain’s a little fried from working on Shadow Dawn for the last four hours. Day one of NaNoWriMo done, twenty-nine left to go.
Anyway, I was going to give poetics a miss tonight but the prompt ‘if these walls could talk’ just took me straight to Morton Corbet Castle in Shropshire and I had to write something.
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Published by Carol J Forrester
Carol J Forrester is a writer and a history geek. Her debut collection 'It's All In The Blood' came out November 2019.
She has a 2:1 BA degree in history from Bath Spa University, enjoys judo at least twice a week, and tries to attend poetry events around the Midlands when she can.
Her flash fiction story ‘Glorious Silence’ was named as River Ram Press’ short story of the month for August 2014 and her short story ‘A Visit From The Fortune Teller’ has been showcased on the literary site Ink Pantry. Her poems ‘Sunsets’ and ‘Clear Out‘ were featured on Eyes Plus Words, and two of her poems were included in the DVerse Poets Pub Publication ‘Chiaroscuro’ which is available for purchase on amazon.Her poem ‘Until The Light Gets In‘ was accepted and published at The Drabble and her poem ‘Newborn’ was published by Ink Sweat & Tears.
She has been lucky enough to write guest posts for sites such as Inky Tavern and Song of The Forlorn and has hosted a number of guest bloggers on her site Writing and Works.
View all posts by Carol J Forrester
I loved this piece of poetry and the way you played with words. Great job.
Wonderful! Oh the history behind this piece. So glad you wrote this instead of neglecting us for nanonano.
I’m so glad you joined in, Carol. You brought me back in time with the “echo of cannon fire” and “creaking corsets”. The thought of those walls crumbling until they can speak no more is very sad.
I love the way the poem begins, Carol – I always feel those traces of history in ruins and old buildings, that’s the thrill of visiting them, so your ‘echo of cannon-fire’ drew me in. I love the shadows , whispers and creaks, and the past voices, still contained within the walls. You’ve even captured the scarier ‘thrum of armies’. An evocative poem that I really enjoyed.
I love the juxtaposition between the drama of the past, the wars and passion, to the gentleness of picnicking and tourists… yes this is exactly like the walls would cry.
You totally rocked the prompt ❤️
The ruins do talk in the hiss of the wind, the rustle of the grass, the warmth of the sun and echoes of the past.
You weaved the history of this place cleverly into your poem! Brings in a touch of life.
Love your version of “fried” poetry 🙂 Castles intrigue me too.
I love your words, somehow words of comfort. Walls have much to tell.
Anna :o]
You’ve done this brilliantly. It’s as if the castle walls are actually telling you about its story 🙂
and then there will be no stories for us to tell
and no walls to talk anymore…. Then it will be up to poets like you to make us remember