William Allen

William Allen Jan 2019

The fire in the belly of the mantle
lowly roars.
With it, the harmony of the beacon.

Though, as with all great scores, there must be an end.

When the last line of the melody is played
and the final note clings to the air
then decays.

As did the beacon so.
Drawing its last breath
and light slipping unto the dark.

With hurried steps
the Maiden makes her climb
Through the cherry staircase
onward and upward
the tower.

Falling, with all of the world's weight,
she weeps.
Her tears darkening the floorboards
like black ink on a yellow stained page

She could feel the call.

This is part VII of a ten-part story titled "Weathered: A Tale of Love and Loss." When creating this story early on, I really wanted to have a section that contained two parts. I felt that using the beacon in this instance would be to the advantage of the story.

#love #loss #weathered #mariner #maiden #beacon #despair

William Allen Jan 2019

The Letter

My dearest Olivia,

I write this letter with a heavy heart and yet, an even heavier hand. This vessel takes on water as I blot these old pages with ink. I hold your memory close as flame to a well-oiled wick. Cherishing our fondest moments spent together, and letting them keep me warm in this frigid cold.

The way your ivory slip would rest on your shoulders so delicately as we strolled through the fields of home. How the wind would gently pass through your deep flowing auburn hair, and how sweetly I would tuck the free-flowing strands behind your ears.

I desperately yearn to be back home by your side in the comfort of our chamber, with my hand interlaced with your hair, as the glorious yellow rays seep through our window and slowly fill the room with luminous light.

We shall be together soon, I fear not. And I shall wait to see your hurried steps on heavens golden shores. Weep not for me or for this loss. The sea is beckoning me home.

I hope this letter finds you. I love you,

-W.A.

This is part VII of a ten-part story titled, "Weathered: A Tale of Love and Loss." I wanted to break poetic structure of the story a bit and create a love letter that was believable between the two characters, for the reader. Here's to hoping that I did that for you.

Enjoy

#love #loss #weathered #mariner #maiden #sea #hope #despair

William Allen Jan 2019

The Storm

The calm blue
now gave way to fervent gray skies.

Furies of cloud burst
rattled like musket fire against the sails!

Thunder bellowed & wind tore
sails as if the were made of paper so fine.

Lightning sparked across the sky
revealing the twisted face of the sea.

For this storm knows now what it takes
and shall hold no fear

With heavy heart this burden
I bear.

The sound of masts snapping like bone
under pressure too great
splintering into jagged memories
with violent intent.

This is part VI of a ten-part story titled "Weathered: A Tale of Love and Loss." This particular piece may get re-worked a touch and elongated. But for now, this is it.

Enjoy.

#mariner #maiden #love #loss #weathed #heartbreak #despair

William Allen Jan 2019

The Calm

The wind gently pushed through sails,
carrying the vessel further from shore.

Seas still with timid temper
this was the calm before the storm.

Oh the fabled calm
how many a weary sailor
sang its song.
The beauty before the gale and the fall.

Boards speak softly
as the ship sweetly
stirs.

Blue crests swell
raising & lowering
the vessel as if to rock her
to sleep.

Oh the fabled calm
how many a weary sailor
sang its song.
The beauty before the gale and the fall.

This is part V of a ten-part story titled "Weathered: A Tale of Love and Loss"
When writing this piece, colors without saturation were coming to mind so I wanted to try and convey that here.

Enjoy.

#love #loss #weathered #mariner #maiden

William Allen Jan 2019

The Beacon, Part I

The whirring of the beacon
drummed low and steady

The light burning its way
through the night

That light,
oh how brightly it shone

For it stayed lit
to guide the mariner
home.

At night
&
during day
The maiden, oh how sweetly she'd
pray.

That beacon, fueled by love
contested the sun
and its brilliant shine.

For it stayed lit
to guide the mariner
home.

This is part IV of a ten-part series titled "Weathered: A Tale of Love and Loss"
This particular piece came at a point of self-reflection that I had and so that emotion bled into this work rather freely.

Enjoy.

#love #loss #reflection #weathered #mariner #maiden

William Allen Jan 2019

The Voyage

The low wind howled
against the creaking
&
moaning of ships.

Dark clouds blotted out
all hopeful rays of the sun.

Small drops of water blotted
chestnut colored planks

Fraying aged ropes wet with sea mist
tug and pull taught
as vessels heave up and down.

Sails shake tirelessly
in the careless throws
of the wind.

Her words, like sweet drops of wine,
fall softly from her saddened lips.

"Must you go?
Must you brave the angered seas?
Must you set out once more,
this final time?"

Though sweet was her voice,
her words filled with grief
held a gravity to them.
He did not wish to leave.

Seeing her tear stricken face
He softly ran his fingers
through her heavy auburn hair.

A final embrace
and a solemn goodbye
The Mariner kissed his wife.

This is part III of a ten-part story titled "Weathered: A Tale of Love & Loss"

#weathered #tale #love #loss #mariner #maiden #sea #vessel

William Allen Jan 2019

The Maiden

The sweet solemn melody
swam through the dim-lit room.

His eyes pressed shut
swaying to and fro
in the rhythm of her hearts song.

The fire in the belly of the mantle
cracked and popped
its own lovestruck melody
warmly roaring.

The Maidens song spills
from finger & bow
dancing on air & swimming
in ears.

She watches as the final note
is pulled through the string
singing with its last dying breath

The Maidens song spills
from finger & bow
dancing on air & swimming
in ears.

This is part II of a ten-part series titled "Weathered: A Tale of Love & Loss"

Please enjoy.

#maiden #love #loss #weathered #mariner #vessel