There are a number of translations of the Holy Bible that state essentially one thing in different words, i.e. "The wages of sin is death."

In American vernacular we talk about, "Ya made yar bed, now lie in it" and "He'll get his just deserts" and "Finally got his comeuppance, did he?" But none of those sayings capture the essense of the evildoer's reward, just that he has earned what's coming to him, whatever it is.

In my novel The "Paradise of Revenge" I take the reader step-by-step through a vicious, premeditated sexual strangulation of a saintly young woman. A vile, ugly scene that I dreamed about for days before and after.

There is little left in doubt in "The Specter of Death" that the treated subject matter is vile and loathsome. In reading this poem, I confess to a sense of satisfaction that the bastard is getting what he deserves. And I hate myself for having those feelings.

To communicate and to evoke are cardinals of great writing. I don't like your poem, Elizabeth. I don't like this treatment of death. It brings out feelings in myself that I don't like.

But by my own standards, "Specter of Death" is great writing.

Now, before I go to sleep tonight, I suppose I'll have to read something like Dr. Suess's "Green Eggs and Ham" and bring to mind the many works of the remarkable Elizabeth Melton Parsons when she speaks of love and harmony of the soul, subjects more in tune with a softy like me who loves Elizabeth the writer, no matter what.

Richard

Another good poem from your power pen! Well done!

Elizabeth,

W O W. Fantastic dark write here!

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

Elizabeth

I believe Jerry has said it all for me too...with his astute and shrewd observations below..

Gripping and Harrowing stuff !

Hugs

Peter

The intensity and self-flagellation is paramount here. No sunrise in the distance that the narrator can hang their hat and hopes on, no, it is a swift descent into hell, knowing full well it is richly deserved. I like it.