At the request of Susan, here is a bit of backstory for Guthrie Carmichael, the Scottish gamekeeper from my excerpt posted last week.
Gold That Burns
At my birth, my father bid his love goodbye
She slipped away, my sister clutching to her breast
Five boys - poor Jean a wee thing and all
No girls to wash and peel and mend
Five boys too young to work. Too young
To stop the men with fists who took him off
I pulled upon her hand yet on we trudged
She knew our father's cough would never heal
The damp, the rot, the gaol's stone walls
Took on the spectre of his hollowed gaze
My sister raised us all with his firm hand
With mother's gentle kiss, and so we thrived
While Jean seemed yet a girl, so slight, so worn
No suitor, only brothers grown and safe, in service all
Though it would hurt her to the quick to know
Her dearest Guthrie poached from the estate
Putting guineas by to sail from these cruel shores
Determined that I be the man my father dare not dream
Risking stone gaol and iron door with every snare
Am I seeking life and fortune with my plan?
Or do I run from father's dying grasp, gaining no ground
Seeing only Jean's trusting gaze each time I
Lift the false shelf to hide the gold that burns
Copyright - Julia Smith - 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Poetry Train Monday - 37 - Gold That Burns
Posted by Julia Phillips Smith at 10:15 PM
Labels: Guthrie Carmichael, Poem, Poetry Train, Sean Bean, Susan Helene Gottfried
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20 comments:
i love these story poems of your Julia.
yours... "of yours"
sigh.
Fascinating!!!!! Really sets the mood.
*swoon* I've had a thing for Sean Bean since the early 90's, and he's just gotten better with age.
He suits your story beautifully Julia.
Beautiful narration. I loved this very much. Thanks!
ode for convoluted crevices
wow! Gorgeous!
Wonderful story poem. And of course, lovely picture. :)
P.S. I tagged you.
OMG You're so damn good at that!
You are so talented!!! I love it. x
Well, I'm darn glad I asked for this! :D
LOVE it, Julia. You know this guy, all right. And now I do, too.
Once again you made me ask myself so much question!! I really like the poem, and you are not helping me on the fact I want to know more!
Ahh!!! Sean Bean!! He was one of the first on the ravished list!! Fab pic! An lovely poem, too, of course. ;)
Damn I wish I could do that. (the story poems thing).
Story poem!! that's like double thrill - thank you for the enjoyable read!
Squee Sean Bean!!!!
Ooooh... love the pic of Sean Bean. So HAWT!
I love your writing, Julia.
Ooooh nice!
Babe
http://babekingweb.com/blog
Wow, what a beautiful story poem -- it captivated me, and you gave us a wonderfully deep glimpse into Guthrie.
I love the whole thing, but this...
"...Determined that I be the man my father dare not dream..."
Yes, oh yes.
OOOH...so much pain, so much guilt, so much hidden behind those eyes of his!
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