Author: Adam Lindsay Gordon
In the old abbey of St. Bavon, At the close of the fourteenth century, It was said that there dwelt an old monk, Who was known as the abbey's mystery. He was never seen in the daylight, And he shunned the vesper bell, But the monks would tell of his ghostly walk Through the cloisters when midnight fell. And they said that his face was as pale as death, And his eyes had a weird, strange light, As he walked alone through the shadowy halls, In the silence of the night. But he vanished when morning dawned again, And the abbey was still and calm, And the monks would whisper their tales of fear, As they knelt to chant their psalm.
Type of Poem: Narrative Poem
Date Written: 1868-01-01
Date Published: 1870-01-01
Language: English
Keywords: Monks, Legend, Abbey, Ghost, Mystery
Source: Sea Spray and Smoke Drift
Publisher: Clarson, Massina & Co.
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: A mysterious narrative poem that tells the tale of an old monk who haunts the abbey at night, creating an eerie and haunting atmosphere.
Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.
Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:
From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.