Melodies XLIX; The Tenant Of Mortifex Manor

He is the ghostly form of his own need.

The jealousy in which he loves to abide---

the emotional resentment and greed---

becomes his soul's slow and slovenly suicide.

His estimate of himself is a pretension---

it is, paradoxically, his sole dimension;

his more that he thinks much is really less.

He thinks he strides through profound experience---

but it is imaginary and, truly, rather shallow.

But, still, a devoted audience

hover around him, day and night, to follow---

to flit, like moths, around everything he has said:

the derivative voices in his head.

Alone, they accompany him, alone, on his course

through Mortifex Manor's emptiness---

its haunted rooms and shadowed corridors.


Starward

Author's Notes/Comments: 

The title is a respectful parody of the title of Acton Bell's novel, The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall (1848).  Acton Bell was the pseudonym of Anne Bronte.

View s74rw4rd's Full Portfolio
Pungus's picture

Catallus, whose great poetry

Catallus, whose great poetry I just extremely enjoyed because you gave the name, would surely applaud your poem too; and even perhaps be living through you.


bananas are the perfect food

for prostitues

S74rw4rd's picture

Well, thank you, Sir.  I

Well, thank you, Sir.  I really appreciate your kind compliment.


Starward