As we came down the old boreen,
Rose and I – Rose and I,
At vesper time on Sunday e’en,
We heard a banshee cry!
Beyond the churchyard dim and dark,
‘Neath whispering elms, and yew-trees stark,
Where our star shone-a corpse-like spark-
Against the wintry sky.
We heard and shuddered sick with dread,
Rose and I- Rose and I,
As the shrill keening rang o’erhead
Where cloud-wrack floated high.
Our two young hearts long, sorely tried,
By poverty and love denied
Still waiting for some favouring tide,
And now! Death come so nigh.
‘Which of us two is called away
You or I-You or I?”
I heard my patient poor love say,
With bitter plaintive sigh.
‘Neither, dear girl,” I bravely said,
‘To Mary Mother bow your head,
And cry for help to Her instead,
Nor heed the Banshee’s cry’.
We raised our hearts in fervent prayer,
Rose and I-Rose and I,
Nor knew our troubles ended there,
Our happiness came nigh.
For ‘twas the grim old farmer, he-
My only kin, rich, miserly,
Who, dying left his wealth to me-
For whom the banshee cried.
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1 - 7 of 7
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An enjoyable informative piece of reading. Steller soft rhyme.And great story telling.~Suseann
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great poem keep up the great work it definatly is deep and has alot of imagry in it.
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Compelling reading, The fear and wondering of which one of them will be called for. The ending is a bit sad, knowing it was kin but only caring about their gain.
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This was a very eerie read, it is simple but very deep, the cries were if you read it right quite deafening, a wonderful story of death and intrigue, the banshee being I presume the cry of their father maybe dying, well I have probably got it wrong, but I tried
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For some reason I read this in a sort of 'old' voice. Since I am a male, it was more of an 'oldman' voice than anything.
It's a simple piece, and it plays on that simplicity quite endearingly. It's quite a lovely piece.
I felt, maybe it was between sisters and not lovers, but, I may be incorrect.
It's a great piece that Crist has written here.
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I can imagine the terror that this couple felt. They were young, waiting their good fortune, and they knew their end was near. I like it how strong the narrarator is as he consoles his love and they pray together. I can see them, huddled together shivering. The imagery is vivid and encapturing and the story holds you to your seat. It seems a bit greedy in the last stanza, when they pass the old farmer off as miserly and get all his money, while they not at all mourn his death. It is very realistic however.
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This was a wonderful story. It took me in and had me wondering about the end. Of course, a big part of thgat is that I am fascinated with banshees. There are so many legends about them and this seemed so true, it had me wondering whether or not this actually happened.
The spirituality bit seemed very in place as it is probably the only thing you can do when you hear a banshee cry.
As for mistakes - I feel that in line 18 "Your or I-You or I?” should be "You or I-You or I?” That is the only thing though, the rest is very well-written and enjoyable.
~Anastasia
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