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Wednesday 17 June 2015

OBITUARY

In memoriam,   Christopher Lee


Last week I dreamt of death's dark void
in a nightmare scene of wooded mountains
and Gothic castles on moonless, starless midnights.
In trepidation I traversed narrow passes over bottomless ravines
that seemed to mean so profoundly much.

And on waking prepared to face the division
of myth and man and mourn the latter,
whose commanding presence conjures up
vivid images of black coaches, shrieking bats and baying wolves
that without him would surely revert to mere folklore.

Next day your face was full of farewells.
Then as the Veil parted and you stepped through,
oh how I longed to follow - a more than willing victim,
bare-necked and spread-eagled beneath the full moon
with not a Crucifix in sight. But you never came.

Will the great Hammer now become meaningless logo:
a quaint hieroglyph of antiquated long-forgotten legend?
But before it fades to nothingness,
please, please teach me the language of the Vampires, that I might
occasionally call you back and so dispel dejection's heavy shroud...

Peripheral vision registers something blackest black
and cloaked lurking in the room's darkest alcove.
"I've come to say goodbye" the wind outside murmurs.
Oh my shape-shifting friend, what are you really?
Whether man, actor, or diabolic fiend I am no longer sure.

And will mere tomb contain such a creature
who has ventured so far into the abyss:
whose very name evokes images of blood,
sharp fangs and literal hell on earth?
Perhaps the Angels, too, are confused (you were incredibly convincing)

so will keep you at bay, suspended for all eternity
between Otherworld and Earth in some ghastly half-life
where Dracula presides over his archetypal realm:
where your origins and my future converge
in cold stone and ornately carved letters

that never were, yet ever shall remain
in memory's poignant domain - and in my Soul.
Oh what an obituary! It hurts my eyes to read
such misunderstanding. Your passing makes me say
something entirely different:

I shall not mourn, I shall not weep
nor bid you "rest in peace".
Oh Master of Horror, I shall not miss you -
why on earth would I, 
when you and I both know
an Undead cannot die...

33 comments:

  1. My heart just about stopped when I saw the title of your post, dearest Ygraine!!!
    But you have written this wonderful piece of poetry for the very best and most loved of the horror genre...Christopher Lee, and I might add, a perfect good to evil wizard!!!

    Hugs, Love and Blessings
    xoxoxo

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    Replies
    1. Oh Jan...I am so sorry...I didn't mean to shock!
      I was so saddened by the passing of one of my greatest heroes since childhood...and had to record it and express my feelings as best I could.
      Thank you so much for reading...your kind comment means so much...:)

      All my Love and Hugs xoxoxo

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  2. Great Obituary to the images he evoked..
    Wonderful writing as usual..

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    1. I was staying in a natural basin in the heart of Warwickshire, without any internet connection, when the sad news came via the radio.
      All that day's activities were promptly cancelled, and my pen began working out...hard.
      Simply had to record his passing...this great Hero of mine.
      So...so...sad.:(

      Many thanks, Anthony...much appreciated!

      Have a Great Day.:)

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  3. By a moment I think like Jan ! ohe dear! But now I read I loved Christopher Lee and this poem and Obituary is wonderful, !
    send you love and hugs dear Ygraine
    xoxoxo

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    Replies
    1. Dear Gloria...so sorry I worried you too. It hadn't crossed my mind that people may initially link this to my own situation. That is still ongoing...he is on the rather long waiting list, and we are at present doing lots of things and trying to put it to the back of our minds for now.

      I am so happy you liked this. I honestly don't think there has ever been anyone as brilliant a Dracula as he, nor ever will be.
      Thank you so much!

      Have a Wonderful Weekend.:)

      Love & Hugs xoxoxo

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  4. Hi Ygraine..wow..fantastic! what a beautiful and brilliant tribute to an amazing soul....your writing is always so powerful and full of energy and a special kind of magic that I love! Shine on! Hugs and cheers to Christopher Lee!!
    Victoria

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    1. Thank you so much, my dear Victoria!
      I just had to write this...his passing is such a huge loss to the horror genre...there will never be another like him...:(

      Have a Fantastic Weekend!

      Big Hugs xoxoxo

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  5. A lovely and touching tribute, Ygraine!

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    1. You are so kind, Linda!
      Thank you...so much.:))

      Have a Great Weekend xoxoxo

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  6. A lovely and touching tribute, Ygraine!

    ReplyDelete
  7. A lovely adieu to a master for sure,
    and no the undead can not die - so I am sure he lives on
    at the edge of shadows.

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    1. So glad you enjoyed, "X"...yes, I will still be searching the edge of shadows...

      Have a Fabulous Weekend! :))

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  8. Oh . . . how you write so well my friend, for you've taken me there again.

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    1. Think you understand the shadows more than most, my friend...and thank you so much for your company!! :)

      Have a Wonderful Weekend.:))

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  9. Beautiful poem for a great actor. Thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. Many thanks, CiL...I really appreciate that.

      Have a Fabulous Weekend.:))

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  10. oh girl you made me shiver, i think he's positively glowing, very very you and touching and beautiful, ah you're a marvel, love and hugs always xxxooo

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    Replies
    1. Oh Sweetie...you are so kind.
      Thank you...from my heart!

      Have a Super Weekend.:)

      Love & Hugs xoxoxo

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  11. Thank you for this. Mr. Lee was a familiar face on late-night horror flicks as I grew up and I always enjoyed his performances --frankly, I suspect he did too.

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    1. Oh Geo...such fondly-remembered nights of sneaking downstairs to watch his movies after my parents had gone to bed!
      For me, he was the ultimate icon...and I will miss him so much...:(

      Many thanks.

      Have a fabulous week! :))

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  12. a drip
    runs down our spine
    tracing the links of bone
    drawing out the death of our hate
    new blood

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    Replies
    1. Oh WOW, Doug...this is the perfect epitaph for him...utterly amazing!
      Thank you so much.:)

      Happy Monday! :))

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  13. I shall not mourn, I shall not weep
    nor bid you "rest in peace".
    Oh Master of Horror, I shall not miss you -
    why on earth would I,
    when you and I both know
    an Undead cannot die...

    This one just really got me. Powerful words.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh thank you, Lux...I so appreciate your kind words.

      I am still visiting your wonderful blog, but can no longer find a comment box!

      Have a Fabulous Week! :))

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  14. Hello Ygraine,
    What an impressive story.
    Great to see how you've told all these words.
    You could write books..!!

    Big hug and many sweet greetings,
    Marco

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    Replies
    1. Oh wow...you are so kind, Marco...many, many thanks...
      I can't begin to tell you how much that means to me!

      Hope you are having a great Wednesday.

      Big Hugs.:))

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  15. Boa tarde, um sonho muito bem relatado pela bela sua bela escrita, na verdade os sonhos normalmente funcionam ao contrario, significa que o sonho concretiza-se em felicidade com cores.
    AG

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    1. Thank you so much, AG...always a real pleasure to hear from you.
      When I think of all the horror movies and the Hobbit etc...oh he is going to be sorely missed...

      Have a great day! :)

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  16. Powerful! Heartfelt! Emotion! & Tragic. :(

    When I heard Christoper Lee Passed away...I was shocked and sadden by the news. Beautiful poem and a dedication to his legacy and his contribution to cinema.

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    1. Yes, I totally agree...even though he was 93, so I guess it shouldn't really have been a shock, it still really stunned me.
      He was such an amazing actor...one of my all-time favourites.

      Thank you so much.:)

      Have a Great Day! :))

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  17. Shuo! Such an heartfelt tribute. Got me frightened and lost a moment there.

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    1. So sorry to give you a shock...I should have thought.:/

      Yes, I will really miss seeing him in the movies. He has been up there on the big screen all my life...it is going to be empty without him.

      Many thanks.
      xoxoxo

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I really appreciate hearing your opinions...:)