The absence of fire
A Confession: Mr. Rochester, I Failed Just Like Jane.
For a moment I thought I saw myself
In her dark glance, I saw myself—
But it was words alone that fell.
I thought I could hear me cry
When Mrs. Reed turned her care away from me.
Thinking of a ghost in that cold
Red room.
A ghost!
No one to hold but a doll,
A cold, silent, porcelain thrall.
I am a thrall.
Never have I read a love so tender.
Aches my mind with such sophistication,
Patience
Despite the pledge
Of Grace—
To end the love of taste
Beyond the objective
Choice of features sent,
The handsome face gives way
To a far greater man.
Oh,
But did my soul quiver
When he bit his lips.
The desperate hold
Within that —
Made me surrender reason.
Hope of all the words
That could’ve been said,
Done, went away in his step.
Never mind, I said, I'll never hook
Myself to ink and page…
But I am wholly caught.
~Caitlin Charlton ~
Here is what you all have asked for ☺️ please excuse the horrible voice. ♥️
A/N: At the time of writing this, the intensity of the narrative had me physically overwhelmed; I had to close the book on page 181 just to cool my body heat down. This poem is a record of that fever. Thank you for reading if you have journeyed this far. ♥️🤗🙏🏽🖤
About the Creator
Caitlin Charlton
poetry too close to home
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~ married👰💍 ~
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More stories from Caitlin Charlton and writers in Poets and other communities.
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By Lana V Lynx2 days ago in FYI
Comments (30)
Caitlin, what a perfect voice for this narrative. Congratulations on your leadership board placement, and thank you for sharing a more intimate part of yourself with us❣💖
Your language honors Brontë without imitation, it feels like conversation across time rather than homage alone.
Well done, Caitlin. You are killing them with your poems and stories. The voice recording really makes this one. Nice job.
Very beautiful poem. I truly love it when something another person has created, inspires another artist, and then in turn another on and on.
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Congrats lass! Happy to take second spot to you and this piece and your wonderful resting l.
Congratulations 🎊 Making To The Vocal Leaderboard! Reading the story video was bonus treat 🥰🥰🥰🥰🏆🏆🏆
So much feeling packed into this. Loved it
Jane Eyre is one of those extraordinary novels that never leaves you once you have read it. Your poem reads as though Jane visited you in a fever dream. But, my God, your reading of your poem brought her back to life for me even though a quarter century has passed since I read the novel. Brilliant, electrifying artistry. I am stunned by your artistry, Caitlin. Stunned!
Mi Amiga ~ You DO have 'Grace..' Best, jk.in.l.a.
Incredible writing as usual, Caitlin. I also wanted to let you know after a long decision-making process, I am leaving Vocal. You were my only Subscriber, and I cannot thank you enough for your support and encouragement. Perhaps I’m doing something all wrong when I write poems and stories on Vocal, but I seem to be invisible no matter how much time and effort I put into everything I’ve ever written here. It’s not sour grapes, either. I just can’t keep writing for Vocal, paying a large amount to do so, but never being read or acknowledged, except for the day you somehow found and read me. You gave me hope that I was worthy as a writer on Vocal, but I can no longer tolerate Vocal’s policies regarding challenges, and paying double what I pay on Medium where I have a great amount of Followers and Subscribers. It’s an annoyance I can easily remove. I will only miss you and your brilliant writing. I wish you all the success you so deserve. Goodbye, Subscriber #1 — I will treasure you until the day I die.
👑 you dropped this queen. I KNEW this would be incredible spoken. Did not disappoint. Live it even more!
This is beautiful, Caitlin, and what a soul-penetrating voice!
Oh, the audio so next-levels this! BEAUTIFUL!!!
If this poem doesn't inspire one to read Jane Eyre, nothing could. Beautiful words and hearing you read it aloud was the icing on the cake. You have a wonderfully melodic tone. I think you just convinced me what book to buy for my daughter-in-law this Christmas (she loves romance and I'm always trying to find something suitable that doesn't embarrass me to purchase.) Loved these lines: "Never have I read a love so tender. Aches my mind with such sophistication" "But did my soul quiver When he bit his lips." "Never mind, I said, I'll never hook Myself to ink and page…But I am wholly caught."
Your voice is gorgeous. Have you heard mine? Like that's real embarrassing. I think I just fell for your words even more Caitlin. Damn girl. Well done and yeah, it's elevated because of your breathy reading!
The initial reaction from reading, and from that book? Incredible work! I hope you’re well ❤️
Short, simple, encapsulating, en-thralling 😉 This is amazing, you're amazing! I read aloud to myself, but I think the emotion in your voice (if you do decide to record) will make it vivid, heart-wrenching, and emotionally moving more than ever (hint hint 😉😉), my talented friend.
I agree with Sara this poem should be spoken orally to get the real meaning and to understand fully. Good job.
I'm so sorry but may I know what book you were reading? 😅😅 I can't recall if I've ever been physically overwhelmed reading a book. I'm glad you were able to write this, to help deal with those feelings. Sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️ Loved your poem!
You should do a spoken recording of this. It's stunning!
What a real heartfelt piece here lovely. Thank you Caitlin for this, must have been really difficult though I could only image but girl you are on fire with your writing.
Loved this. I don’t know if you meant for it to be haunting, but it felt haunting. I don’t know anything about Jane Eyre. Loved the ending.
Elegantly-crafted! Gorgeous work CC! 💕
The power of poetry to soften the most intense feeling is a gift! Wonderfully crafted, lovely Caitlin!