Has anyone written poetry about their locality? Historical or not
I've just written a Sonnet on the local Gibbet in Halifax West Yorkshire. It was a forerunner of the Guillotine. If the criminal escaped from the Gibbet during execution and reached the local border they would not be pursued further.
The pub The Running Man is build near the border on the council estate where my wife is from. In memory of this escape. It's a rough and ready estate pub, some of the locals have read my poem and like it. I think they like being described as vagabonds! A replica Gibbet is still on the site on Gibbet St.
'From Hell, Hull and Halifax,
good Lord deliver us'
This is an old Yorkshire saying regarding the Gibbets at Hull and Halifax
Running Man Sonnet
A sheep I stole to feed my whore's three
The Gibbet awaits from Halifax gaol
Orphaned scoundrel; God cannot save me
Can fate find a happy end to this tale?
As the blade falls I slip from the scaffold
Dodge the Sherrif and run for the Brook
Sixteen hounds I outran has been told
Vaulted the stream and death warrant forsook
Seven short years I delayed sentence unfair
I had to see my two beautious brides
Then I was betrayed by this wretched pair
So back on that Gibbet my neck resides
Now in my memory the Running Man stands
A Tavern for vagabonds in the badlands
Rob Edwards
From Hell, Hull and Halifax,
good Lord deliver us
Ladstone Rock Sonnet Traded to a wise woman at the age of five Learned herbal remedies and local tracts Alchemy and black folklore I memorise Brigantine Druids linked in spiritual pacts Mid September foraging for Blackedge Bonnet Caught by bastard Bailiff by Black Beech mound The Sick fuck I rebuff, from rape upon it Six paid raiders return to dog me down On the Kill Stone I'm fated for this life to leave this Adam's realm of bitter lies unclean Fly Witch fly the clods will cry, falling lost Figleaf The pious priest I curse, Black Death forseen. Ladstone Top, if I survive this Devils Drop The Bastards'll braise my bones 'til they pop https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/wtw/search/controlservlet?PageId=Detail&DocId=100240
I've written another local Sonnet about Ladstone Rock. Very local landmark where witches are thought to have thrown from, as is the theme of the Sonnet. The pics are my dog Peggy š loving looking over the precipice. And the 2nd is Cath my wife, Gail our cousin and best friend (scouser) and myself at the Rock today.
A Hartlepool Hanging
Man-o-war we saw; tore up; on our shore.
We check the wreck for; fine wine and brandy.
Found survived this; hirsute swarthy dandy.
Garb of blue; we had sly french spy for sure.
We dragged him out; but he was strangely strong.
Took four brave hands; to tie that demon down.
Smelly foreign foe, what a pissy pong.
Carried rabid dog, to the court in town.
The Magistrate then quizzed; feral french fiend.
Not one word of English; passed thick black lips.
Vile french chatter; his devils tongue inflicts.
Noose found fair; for his evil spying scheme
Then foul French Frog; hung from the Gallows pole!
Pray to Lord our God; for his damned lost soul!
My latest Sonnet @Shen Friebe. You asked for it!
This tale is not very local to me, about a hundred miles away. But its a quite well known story in these parts.
Does anyone know it?
Great poem and back story. I love local history, especially the darker aspects. I haven't written any poems, but it is great idea !
Love the poem Rob, Iām enjoying your sonnet series!
I wrote a poem about Newlandās Corner and Surrey Hills which is an area of outstanding natural beauty thatās not too far from me. I have recently fallen madly in love with the county over the last 3/4 years! I donāt have the poem to hand at the moment as Iām in bed with my morning coffee but will put it down later today!