Charlotte

By Md Sayeem Ibrahim

On a chilly winter night,

as the moon has shed its light 

and the stars are all asleep.

O, you see, a cottage there

dimly lit and homely felt

by the black tree?

Do you see, a little girl?

A boon in her mother's lap,

is she lay asleep?

No, o no, you look again,

those beaded eyes

those leaden lids,

blinking and blinking!

Eyes fixed on the lamp, ears on mama's lips.

She tells a story (lest the baby cries),

of ghosts lurking in woods unknown,

of princesses captured in castles unknown,

of princes in shining armour in fairy towns,

and of big, scary vampires!

"His edged nose, his huge fangs,

angry eyes and dagger nails.

When the night falls and doors are shut,

he leaves his castle and comes out

to suck the blood of those girls

who haven’t slept and eyes aren't shut."

(There she clasps her mama's hand)

"So close thine eyes, my Charlotte,

for here he comes, and catches thee !"

(There she closes her eyes tightly.)

"I'm scared, mama, protect me!"

"Fear not, love, those are but stories be,

call upon God, and He shall protect thee !"

Thus the little princess lay, and soon fell asleep.

In her mother's lap, how slept she !

On a chilly winter night (some years gone by)

as the moon has undressed its light

and the stars are all asleep.

There, you see, that cottage there

by the black tree?

Do you see, a nobleman?

A liege lord in his lady's lap,

is he lay asleep?

No, o no, you look again, 

those thirsty eyes

those nasty hips,

moving and moving !

Eyes fixed on scared eyes, ears on loud gasps.

Is this a story (hear the cries?),

of sinners lurking in faces known,

of poverty being preyed upon,

of nobility in shining suits in familiar towns,

and of big, scary peers!

Her reddened nose, her clenching teeth,

aching eyes and swollen nails.

As the night fell and doors are shut,

he left his mansion and came out

to suck souls of those harlots

with nothing left and fortunes shut.

(There he seizes her hands tightly)

"Look at me, my Charlotte,

for here I go, and finish me!"

(There she closes her eyes tightly)

"I'm done, sir, let go of me!"

"Speak not, my love, how long the night be

please me, and I shall reward thee !"

Thus the harlot Charlotte lay, and kept thinking

if there be vampires, one may be he !

By Md Sayeem Ibrahim