Ruby Lord

Feb 23, 2025 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

Cadaver

They prop me here, grotesque delight,
for fools who drink each fetid night.
They raise their mugs to toast my grin,
of shrivelled shade on withered sin.

The wenches dance, their hems askew,
to peddle flesh, the old and new.
The coins exchanged, a tarnished fate,
as ale spills thick from pewter plate.

And here I sit, a lifeless jest,
a bone-white ghost in rotting vest.
The landlord claims I bring him trade,
a spectre fixed yet on parade.

I see them all with milky eyes,
the butcher, thief, the lover’s lies.
Their breaths are warm, their laughter bold,
yet I stay silent, stiff and cold.

And how they cheer, how they delight,
in ghoulish sport of death’s own blight.
A caution cast, the warning grim,
to those who drown their souls with gin.

For once, like them, I drank too deep,
surrendered to the darkened sleep.
And now I rest where shadows creep,
a danse macabre, my lesson cheap.

About This Poem

Last Few Words: I wrote this poem for my book which you can currently get for free on Amazon. The book is called Endings and is free for download. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Endings-Ruby-Lord-ebook/dp/B0DWTBQ2NV?ref_=ast_author_dp You may have to adjust the URL for your country. The book is free until 26/02/2025 but it's only available as a download. I do hope you enjoy my poem. When I was studying William Hogarth, I was amazed that he he had a painting of a cadaver in Marriage a la Mode. A fantastic series of paintings that I have admired for years.

Review Request Direction: What did you think of my title?
How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How does this theme appeal to you?

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft

About the Author

Country/Region: United Kingdom

Favorite Poets: Margaret Atwood is one of my favourite writers. Carol Ann Duffy, Philip Larkin, Ted Hughes, Wendy Cope and more.

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Comments

Triskelion

4 months 3 weeks ago

Wow...

...I really enjoyed this one, Ruby. The language use throughout gave me visions of a dank bar with a leathery, wizened cadaver propped up by the barkeep for an ultimate theme bar where people go to drink themselves to the grave...how novel!
Your mastery of meter and rhyme shows in spades here. Thanks for giving us this outstanding read.

Cheers!
Thomas

Ruby Lord

4 months 3 weeks ago

Hi Thomas, and wow to you too

Hi Thomas, and wow to you too. Thank you for reading. I had my confidence knocked when I showed it to my husband. He said, it's a bit macabre isn't it. So I really appreciate you reading and taking the time to make a comment on it. And I'm also really chuffed that I put those images in your mind. I think if you got it, then others will? Or maybe not ha ha. Much appreciated, Ruby xx

RoseBlack

4 months 3 weeks ago

I love this

What an incredible story put to verse. I love how it was told from the point of view of the deceased. The language and flow were excellent. I found a bit of humor in how the body was propped up and used to draw in customers. Well done! I am going to check your book out! How was the self-publishing experience? I have thought of doing it myself for quite some time.

Ruby Lord

4 months 3 weeks ago

Hi RoseBlack, thank you so

Hi RoseBlack, thank you so much for reading and commenting. Your words have helped to calm me down after my conversation with the husband ha ha. See, he's been demoted to the husband. I may write a poem about him?
I use Kindle Create to publish my books. It's not naturally intuitive, you do learn a lot and there's lots of help on the Amazon site if you get stuck. If you decide to go for it, give me a shout if you think I can help. And thank you again fro reading, commenting and downloading. Ruby xx

Rula

4 months 3 weeks ago

Another Wow

from me dear Ruby.
A big congrat for publishing your book on Amazon. A brave step that I wish to take one day.
Absolutely happy for you.
As for this piece, I especially like using some diction that feels like one of the masters is here, the narrative as well as the meter, both are tight and strong.
Thank you for sharing this one!
Best wishes.

Ruby Lord

4 months 3 weeks ago

Hi Rula, thank you for

Hi Rula, thank you for reading and making a comment. I enjoyed this one, I like the images it brings and the history involved. Once again, thank you for dropping by. Ruby xx

Rula

4 months 3 weeks ago

Dear Ruby

I visited the page that you pointed out to download the book but failed to find any link to do so.
I will appreciate it if you lead me to this step by step.
thank you

Ruby Lord

4 months 3 weeks ago

Hi Rula, that could be

Hi Rula, that could be because you are in a different country to the link I sent you? If you go to Amazon and type in
Ruby Lord Endings
You should get your version, but I can't guarantee this. If it's not available there let me know, I can send you a PDF copy.
Ruby xx

Geezer

4 months 3 weeks ago

Yes, yes, yes...

I did so enjoy this! Indeed, as it has been said by Rula, I envisioned an old master sitting at his desk writing by candlelight.
I think the rhyme and meter are perfect for this. I will go to check out this free version and certainly would buy a copy if it were to be for sale. Very good stuff! ~ Geez.
.

Ruby Lord

4 months 3 weeks ago

Thank you Geezer for your

Thank you Geezer for your encouraging comments. As I've said in previous comments my husbands reaction took my confidence away. I have now warned him, he may be the main subject in my next poem :)
I think if I have managed to produce pictures in your head, I must be doing something right. Thank you again for your kind words and taking the time to read my work. Ruby xx

Rula

4 months 3 weeks ago

Sorry Ruby

couldn't have any way to reach a downloadable version.
I tried every possible way.
As sir Geezer, I can wait to buy one when available for sale

Ruby Lord

4 months 3 weeks ago

Hi Rula, I've sent you a

Hi Rula, I've sent you a message. Ruby xx

tyro

4 months 3 weeks ago

great control of both meter

great control of both meter and rhyme. The scene used to showcase your talent was both amusing and compelling. very artistic all the way around.

Ruby Lord

4 months 3 weeks ago

Hi Tyro, nice to meet you.

Hi Tyro, nice to meet you.
Thank you for reading and commenting. And thank you for your kind compliments about my work. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It is always great to hear what other people think about my poetry. Ruby xx

Alex Tanner

4 months 3 weeks ago

Gothic

Loved the darkness of it. Alex

Ruby Lord

4 months 3 weeks ago

Thank you Alex for reading

Thank you Alex for reading and commenting. It's always great to hear from you. Ruby xx

Candlewitch

4 months 3 weeks ago

Dear Ruby,

Reading this piece was a delicious treat! It is smooth enough that my eyes glided through it. I had to read it again to allow my brain to catch up! I believe that you are a natural born story teller! I could not single out favorite lines...much enjoyed all of them. Great theme!!!

fondly, xxx Cat

Ruby Lord

4 months 3 weeks ago

Hi Cat, I thought you'd like

Hi Cat, I thought you'd like this one. I know you like the darker side of things like me. I enjoyed writing this one because it touches on a lot of themes that I enjoy reading about.
Take care, hope you are feeling better. I read one of your earlier posts :(
Ruby xx

Candlewitch

4 months 3 weeks ago

Dear Ruby,

Thank you for your good wishes, I am honored and you made me smile.

fondly, Cat

Lavender

4 months 2 weeks ago

Cadaver

Hello, Ruby,
Congratulations on your new book! This poem is remarkable. I did look up William Hogarth's Marriage A-la-Mode series, which I would not have known about, if not for your poem. The series is incredible, and your poetry fits its very tone and nature. Again, remarkable poetry!
Thank you,
Lx

Ruby Lord

4 months 2 weeks ago

Hi Lavender, thank you for

Hi Lavender, thank you for your read and comment. I love Hogarth, I studied him as part of my university degree a long time ago but he made such an impact on me and his prints and paintings are amazing. I've spent time in many London art galleries staring in awe. Take care, Ruby xx