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Nocturnes: That Sleep Of Death What Dreams May Creep
[in memory of Charles Beaumont,
(1929-1967),
writer of most memorable horrors]
"I say to you: I am afraid to sleep,
"although I do---yet find no shred of rest.
"The dreams I have are always quite distressed,
"and ghastly, gruesome things into them creep.
"I fear the smooth nightcap and velvet slipper;
'I fear the starless night and unburnt taper.
"A lover comes to me, on stockinged feet---
"curvacious in desire. But, to escape her,
"so that she cannot taint my sinless life,
"I bring her foul existence to an end;
"this whore, who has the courage to pretend
"to please me---just imagine her conceit
"to try to draw me to that sordid street,
"all willy-nilly. So, with a sharp knife,
"I slice her up, serving her with her death:
"then, in the shadows, catch my baited breath.
"Next morning, when I wake to sip my tea,
"I learn, with horror from the morning paper,
"the news that shocks all London---even me---
"another slut murdered by Jack the Ripper."
To sleep, perchance to dream
"...there's the rub, for in that sleep of death what dreams may come.."
~the bard
Yes.
Yes.
Starward
Well, you've outdone
Well, you've outdone yourself. This is pure brilliance, in concept and in form, which is an impeccable choice for the chilling story. I was completely captivated by the idea—the combination of sleep as terror and the reality of a deranged monster intertwined in one fast-paced story delivered with a sly, staccato rhythm. Breathtaking work.
Thank you. I have been
Thank you. I have been writing about the Ripper since 2000, and studying the five murders (primarily the fifth) since 1974. Your kind comment sure does validate that long study, and the poem.
Starward