Inspired by 3.11, Lady in Red
Another Lesson for Wayward Women
A figure in the window,
on a staircase, or a stage,
in your hotel room, she drifts past
the bed, dressed in a gown of red,
the color of passion, of anger,
of sex, love, blood,
the color of birth and death,
and she, sex worker, or simply
not a nun, or a saint,
murdered after partying, or by a jealous lover—
or his wife—
wanders, not seeking vengeance,
a temptress trapped between worlds,
lost in time.
Paul Brookes is hosting a month-long ekphrastic challenge using folklore images to celebrate the launch of his new poetry collection, “As Folktaleteller.” You can see the images here and also read the other responses.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Reblogged this on The Wombwell Rainbow.
Thank you, Paul.
I almost used this one, but I can’t get the song (Chris de Burgh, Lady in red) out of my head.
They always have to be dressed in red, don’t they? The scarlet letter. You said it all, a woman is always suspect, and there’s always someone ready to point the finger.
Thank you. Yes, that song kept going through my head, too 🤣–so I had to give the poem a different title.
There are the ladies in white, and the grey ladies, too. But red is definitely significant.
White, black, grey are ghostly deathly colours, but red gives out an extra message.
Yes, that’s true.
No woman is safe from having every detail of her life used against her. She is always wearing a scarlet letter…(K)
Thank you. Yes, so true.
very interesting words ❤
Thank you.🙂
Beautifully sensitive
Thank you so much, Derrick.
Wow! This is awesome dear Merril’
Thank you so much, Rene! 😊
Have a wonderful day! 🤗
You, too, Rene!
Thank you 😊
This reminds me so much of something I read about a haunted hotel in Vancouver. Your last stanza is very moving.
Thank you, Liz.
Yes! One of the “Lady in Red” stories is from a hotel in Vancouver. A socialite who used to attend events there was killed in a car accident nearby. But there are also other lady in red stories.
You’re welcome, Merril. I’m glad I wasn’t imagining things about the Vancouver lady in red!
You have a good memory, I’m sure!
🙂
How hauntingly sad, Merril!
Thank you, Ingrid.
It must be sad to walk around as a ghost.
A sultry shudder, is what I feel after reading this 3 times. Well done Merril. You picked a neat pic!
Thank you very much, Resa!