An Eternal Debt (The Pied Piper of Hamlin)
By marandina
- 3162 reads
This is an adaptation of the story of the Pied Piper of Hamlin which is also a Grimm’s fairy tale
Audio version at: https://soundcloud.com/user-62051685/an-eternal-debt-the-pied-piper
An Eternal Debt (The Pied Piper of Hamlin)
Clouds tumble across Hamlin skies,
plague rats squeak, bleak columns,
entrancing whimsical notes - airborne,
enigmatic sounds of a magic pipe.
A piper pied, dressed in finery,
lures rodents to watery depths
where Weser welcomes with
its withering embrace of death.
A hero now cast as villain,
due recompense not to be paid,
as solemn hymns are sung on
the day of St Paul and St John.
Once more the piper comes,
stalking in shadows; strains of
mercurial music to summon
naïve children of villagers.
Follow and dance, smile and prance,
to a hidden cave they follow,
church bells peel in the distance
calling ghosts of windswept echoes.
Image free to use at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pied_Piper_of_Hamelin#/media/File:Pied_Piper2.jpg
Footnote
The Hamelin street named Bungelosenstrasse ("street without drums") is believed to be the last place that the children were seen. Ever since, music or dancing is not allowed on this street
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Comments
There is something attractive
There is something attractive about the tale of the piper and your poem too is attractive. I was moved by the footnote that no singing or dancing is allowed on Bungelosenstrasse ever since that fateful day.
hilary
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Wonderful - spoken and
Wonderful - spoken and written versions both. I just went to wikipedia as it made me wonder what really happened - several theories apparently! Thank you for posting
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It is interesting the
It is interesting the theories of what event may have triggered the legend, but the caution of going back on your promise came I think clearly from it when reading it as a child, and enjoying Robert Browning’s
Rats!
They fought the dogs, and killed the cats,
And bit the babies in the cradles,
And eat the cheeses out of the vats,
And licked the soup from the cooks' own ladles, …
and other rhytmic and alliterative parts and flowing narrative.
He had the little lame boy failing to get in in time, and I gather some have a deaf child and a bllind child also not being able to respond, which may be a caution to children of not being easily carried away by an exciting entertainer?! Left with their disabilities, but indebted to them for their liberty? Rhiannon
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I like it when you do new
I like it when you do new versions of old things. Reading your poem made me think that this story would be the good basis for a warning about climate change, our debt being to Nature. Your re telling is wonderfully stark
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I enjoyed reading your
I enjoyed reading your adaption of this mysterious story. I often wonder if it's based on some facts, your poem makes me think of the many other people that have disappeared into thin air without a trace. Just maybe there are places in the world that have a portal between our world and others.
I too am also fascinated by the darker Grimm's fairy tales, and this is one of those touching on a subject I'm so interested in.
More please!
Jenny.
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Grimm's tales certainly are
Grimm's tales certainly are grim (pun intended) never thought they were palatable for young children but definitely thought fine reading for young adults. Your version of this dark account of the Pied Piper was nicely orchestrated and I liked the alternate look at events, and the added footnote was a haunting history note.
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One of my favourite tales
One of my favourite tales because everything about it is fascinating and mostly very plausible. I like your modern take and anything which keeps this story alive. You have succeded in maintaining the sinisterness of the original.
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Hi Paul
Hi Paul
I had forgotten the ending of the story, but it certainly changes it. You do a very good job of telling the story.
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I enjoyed your poem relating
I enjoyed your poem relating the old story nicely! It is a great story, which can be used as a moral tale, and as a speculation about what could have happened to the children! I seem to remember reading that quite a few German cities/towns claim a similar legend, not just Hamelin!
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