The Banshee's songs are a series of five poems I wrote, mostly a work on alliterations, save the last two ones, more on rhymes. They are more or less long, more or less structured. I wanted their meanings to remain obscur. Yet I want to say a few words about the fourth (Requiem to Katarzyna) because I wrote it for someone in particular. Katarzyna was a young woman aged 19 when she died. I did only know her through friends of mine. But after her death, her best friend decided to have all of Katarzyna's writings published. She then sent me a copy of the book. I've read it this summer. Katarzyna was an exceptional writer. And she excelled in both novels and poetry. Writing this poem for her was a way for me to give an hommage to her.





Banshee's Song


I heard a child crying in the morning
Heart broke, thought of her
Other child lost in the wind
Did the Banshee cry for thee ?
Saoirse so was your name
And you held on to Freedom
Claws closed on her deep dark dress
Thou bled blood, beaten broken heart
And from your wrists thou write
The end of your endless youth
Tore the fragile fabric of your life
As you had torn Freedom's dress
Shattered your name and pride
Mother's heart
Broken brothers
Silent sisters




Banshee's Song II


She wandered wailing and weeping
With the moon's livid and liquid light
Banshee dressed with torn hearts
And sang her sinister sad song.





Banshee's Song III


My sorrows are silent as written words
My wounds, still sore, are writing
Slaughtering my wonders with swords
My written words are silent as sorrows

Songs sliding out of the Woman's wail
Weeping silently sweet I write
The seas, the winds, wandering, I sail
the Woman's wail slides out her songs



Banshee's Song IV (Requiem to Katarzyna)


In your grave sleeping you lie;
In your book your words do cry.
Haven't you heard the Banshee
Cry louder than any other night?
The night you left didn't she
Burst out into tears and light?
For you didn't leave this world dark:
On the pages you left the mark
Of your unique and immortal Soul,
Of your deep dark enlightened Soul.






Banshee's Song V


It was cold. I woke up in the night
The mournful moon was full and bright
I hardened my heart, walked out with fright
And long lingered in the clear light

The moon lamented with liquid moans
And the swans whistled their silent song
The wind wore grey leaves ; lying down,
I learnt to mourn for I was wrong

A cry burst out, tore the terrifying air
I moved not, in the dark I did not dare
A fay walked there, faery wild on the lawn
She sang her sinister song and I felt down

Do you hear, do you hear, gentle love?
The piano plays our sadly silented songs
The Banshee's voice vainly scares the doves
And the dark crows cry and linger long.

This post has been edited by Charlotte: Nov 19 2004, 04:37 PM

i've always loved alliterations, but i like the last one best, a bit scared me when i read it and my desk light went off with a *zing*
well done!

Scared? lol
I'd say Banshee's Song V is my favourite too. I don't think they're any good actually. Unrhymed Verses was better I'd say.