A dark and gloomy evening – a dreaded long night ahead … the heavens were dark and broody … what had induced her to stay home … she couldn't imagine – she hated the uncertainty.
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| Willow tit ( a sweet little bird!) |
That music infiltrated … it wouldn't go … it was taking over … especially now she remembered the lyrics … tit-willow-tit-willow-tit-willow …
Long ago alone the tv glowed … that song again … the setting - a murder … how did he die? Now all was in deep murky darkness … the garden stretched out … falling away towards a gurgling stream …
Even though it was the black and white era … she remembered the images … that song always brought shivers to her spine … why … no idea – but along her journey of life … there were some horreurs …
Tangled undergrowth
Time to put the Tit-Willow … back in its box – til the tune raises its ugly head and resonates again, as it surely will …
I don't seem to do well for October horrorfests … remembering my post for October five years ago – almost to the day …
Grey image: Willow Tit
So after mental reference to my Dark Places WEP posted seven years ago … and my thoughts on Joan of Arc and her ending, found as we're covering the Plantagenet era in our history group … horrors abound throughout the centuries … I'm almost bowing out …
That Tit-Willow song will, apparently, always bring up the anxious senses … I'm off now - a gloomy evening awaits … I'll catch up properly next week …
Horror: I avoid if I can … happy for all other prompts! Thanks WEPPERS … and BLOGGERS … see you soon …
Michaelangelo's
Damned Soul (c1525)
Dark Places post - October 2017
The Passion of Joan of Arc 1928 film
The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan - a comic opera ... though that tune gives me the heebie-jeebies ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
39 comments:
There is more than enough horror in the real world for me. I don't seek it out in fiction.
I wonder why that song haunts you?
And thanks for this very interesting WEP post. I must catch up on some of the others.
I can’t take horror either - but it’s never struck me in the Mikado!
I do not know the song at all and I am thanking my lucky stars if it affects you that way I do not want to know it! Take care, cheers Diane
"A dark and gloomy evening, a dreaded long night ahead, the heavens were dark and broody...." You couldn't have described misery better! I broke the bottom of my leg/foot a fortnight ago so I mainly sit or lie on the couch. I leave the door open and the lights on, but last night I dreaded the misery until my beloved finally arrived home.
@ EC – I've never sought horror out … murder mysteries are usually fine – but this particular programme used this song effectively and I must have been very susceptible at that stage … the words aren't encouraging either, although part of life.
@ Anabel – I know the Mikado is a comic opera … but taking that song for the particularly (to me) nasty horror film I was watching lives with me …
@ Diane – it's strange it's stayed with me .. it might have appeared in another film round about the same time: late 1960s …
@ Hels – sorry to read about your present misery … with your broken leg/foot – and I do hope it heals easily and quickly – take care …
Thanks to you four … I need to get back into blogging completely this coming week … see you soon – cheers Hilary
Warm lights and cheerful food help to keep the horrors at bay. I don't watch horror or violent films - there's too much real horror in the world. Be well, Hilary.
Hari Om
Indeed, as others note, just looking at the news is horror enough. I know the song...but only because we had to do a production at school. Ever since, G&S makes me shudder... YAM xx
I am not familiar with the tit-willow song, Hilary, but have great affection for the Willow Tit, a bird that exudes adorability. To ponder the death of Joan of Arc is to reflect on the incredibly savagery of humans throughout the ages - and still it continues to this day. What we are capable of doing to each other has no boundaries. I think you need to get a glass of wine and a fine Cornish pasty and contemplate Shakespeare and Constable, Vaughan-Williams and Somerset Maugham, perhaps even Richard Dawkins. There is still beauty, truth has not been totally vanquished, there is a place for idealists too. Never give up on that. With love, David.
Funny thing is I don't watch horror films either, even though I write them. I've lived it enough to know the truth of it, but don't want to view it. I write it because it's part of my life and it's the only way to exorcise it. I don't see Halloween as horror though. It's meant to be fun. It always was when I was a kid. Some of my fondest memories, of which there are very few. So those that are happy I cherish.
To be haunted by a song, though. I am sorry. I hope that memory will fade with time!
I enjoyed your post! Captured the feeling of being haunted perfectly!
Take care, better days ahead. I know it's almost winter, but I dream of spring! Sending love and hugs, beautiful melodies, and positive vibes!
Sometimes a song gets stuck in my head too. Its good t hat it inspired a post, now maybe you can put it away for a time. I love fall, my favorite season, but I'm gloomy a lot during this time too. I don't know why, I so love the cooler, stormy days. Does help write dark fiction though, lol. Take care Hilary.
Oh, and I really loved the post just below this. Nursery rhymes have always intrigued me. I've read some them came from then current events (ring around the rosie refers to the black plague), but some just seem cruel (Hanzel and Gretel).
@ Janice – yes .. I agree – but this was mid 1960s probably … poor light etc … I don't like horror films … and I was young …
@ Yam – I know … that's why I struggled with what to write – life in so many places is just horrible. G&S I rather like, but didn't/haven't paid much attention to their lyrics … though tit-willow is suicidal or murder … not sure which - shudder = yes … Actually I was fonder of Offenbach's music …
@ David – I imagined you'd love the Willow Tit – so I had to put a photo in for you! I'm afraid man's horror never seems to stop – some of us recognise it, others patently seem to ignore it … and use it against other members of their society.
Oh no … I'd have to make the pasty … now my mother has gone – it's down to me … not to say that happens too often. Glass of wine yes thank you … and some interesting authors and artists coming your way soon.
@ Renee – I can understand you not wanting to watch horror films … as I realise you've lived through of them in real life – I feel for you.
I can't get to grips with Halloween – but I guess that's because we had Guy Fawkes – firework day … and as kids Halloween hadn't really reached us – but I'm very happy to know you have happy memories around Halloween.
The song has faded with time – yet still takes me back, whenever I hear it … thanks for your thoughts …
@ Donna – well it's a horrid remembrance – though I know it's not something that's likely to happen (I hope!). I enjoy winter at times … as long as I'm not 'enveloped' in the freezing times – but I really don't like writing dark fiction.
Oh great you read the Nursery Rhyme post too – thanks … I know if I looked at nursery rhymes I'd find some horror stories … the plague, Hansel and Gretel … cruel … but these tales linger on.
Cheers to you all – thanks so much for visiting – I will be catching up in the week ahead - Hilary
I am not a horror fan either. Hopefully, that haunting song will leave you alone. Wishing you joy & peace
That song, bringing back deep feelings of dread and raising unanswered questions - truly scary. Deep and dark, Hilary. We might not be horror fans, but sometimes horror stories give light to the darkness.
Great to have you writing for WEP again, Hilary. Thank you.
I'm not much for horror, either. I have a few exceptions, but mostly, I prefer cute Halloween to scary Halloween.
@ Truedessa - I don't like horror at all ... but the song will no doubt continue to be around ... it's not really a problem any more - but it sure returns and haunts!
@ Denise - yes this song has long played its tune to remind me of dark days - thankfully only really that tv programme comes to mind. I'm grateful I'm where I am ... and live in comfort, with no fear or worries ...
I'd love WEP to start up again ... I so enjoyed being pushed to write and craft ... pleasure it's been ....
@ Liz - I can tolerate pantomime or as you mention cute Halloween ... not horror.
Cheers to you three - great to see you ... the gloom and darkness is a-gathering - thanks for your visits - Hilary
Very atmospheric! The Willow-Tit looks so much like our chickadee, but they're different species!
The Willow Tit song must be scary.
Yes, the bird looks like a chickadee.
A sad post and a disturbing memory. I don't read horror either or write it, but there are enough things that scare us without resorting to the horror genre.
Some things affect us deeply and forever, especially if they happen at a vulnerable stage in our lives. I could feel the sadness in your words, Hillary.
Hi, Hilary,
I remember that Dark Places article that you wrote in 2017. We haven't got any better since then. Man's inhumanity to his own species has taken a deep dive toward worse. We are annihilating ourselves.
Shalom shalom
@ Elizabeth - it definitely was frighteningly atmospheric ... watching on my own as 'a kid'. I can see the likeness of the Chickadee to the Willow Tit ... and note the two species ...
@ Alex - I obviously was totally engrossed in the programme, while at the best of times I do not like horror. Interesting about the chickadee likeness ...
@ Olga - it's the memory of that song ... just one of those things ... a few others I can think of, that affect me . Yes - way too many terrible goings on without resorting to the genre ...
@ Sonia - it was odd ... but obviously I was vulnerable at that stage in life - which if I think about it ... I probably was. Thank you for noting the sadness ...
@ Pat - that Dark Places WEP was emotionally strong ... and I think I was drawing on the Joan of Arc Passion film ... which was very very dark ... and then the images I found. However going back to your annihilation aspect - yes we do seem to be doing ourselves in ... I hope I go peacefully and not cruelly.
Thanks so much for visiting - I've enjoyed this WEP write - albeit I struggled with the prompt ... cheers Hilary
Amidst your apologies and bowing out, you created a gloomy eerie post. I think I could hear a haunting tune in the background.
Music is often triggering, both good and bad memories. Hopefully, the song didn't haunt you for too long, HIlary. Your story was suitably eerie. Well done! ☺
Evocative of past horrors...very scary, indeed.
Well done, taking on that horrific challenge! I don't watch, read or write much horror. I'd not heard Tit Willow for ages and now it's rattling around in my head!
Having witnessed and written so much about what man is able to do against man, for me it is hard to understand that anyone could be able to find joy in horror.
Rather I shall have that glass of wine with you on January 13th.
The peace of the night, dear Hilary.
What a lovely, eerie description. I'm with ya on horror.
I do not like horror either. Anything akin to evil is a no for me.
I struggle to watch horror too. Last night I started watching The Devil's Hour, billed as a psychological thriller series, but quite as horrorful as I can tolerate. Even then, I had to watch comedy straight afterwards!
You had some great turn of phrases here including 'deep murky darkness'.
@ Joanne … that tune still appears from time to time … haunting to put it mildly …
@ Debbie – you're right music does trigger memories … music though isn't my forte – but as you note still comes to the fore …
@ Lee – reminders of a tv programme – evoking murder or suicide – neither 'light' …
@ Keith – I don't either … occasionally I'll pluck up courage to watch something that's a classic … Bette Davis rings a bell for me. Tit Willow is a lovely song … it just was used for that tv programme that's always haunted me …
@ Sean – oh yes … way too much horror in the world at the moment – never ending, very sadly.
But re January 13th – I'll hold you to that … glass of wine over the Channel – especially as it's a Monday! Perhaps two glasses even … see you before that I'm sure … when we can raise our glasses to peace in the world.
@ Sandra – I can dream phrases up easily … just need to get my act into gear! No horror either, like you … and your 2nd comment … 'deep murky darkness' – it's sunny today I'm pleased to say!!
@ Rosey – seems like there's a lot of us who don't like horror or anything akin to it … so I concur.
@ Annalisa – I can't take those thriller series either … occasionally I'll watch – but often break off ...and then I'd have finished and gone to bed – not watched something else … I suppose it'd depend on the time …
Thanks everyone – I'm sort of getting into gear … force majeure driving me there – cheers and thanks for commenting - Hilary
Wonderful phrasing as usual, Hilary. I am definitely not a horror fan either!
Thanks Donna ... now dark nights are a-coming ... not good for horror thoughts! Cheers and thanks for visiting - Hilary
Stephen King has said somewhere that horror is a filter through which we look at things we are afraid of...it's a way to externalise and break up our worst fears into manageable chunks...sorry it's taken me this long to read, eye trouble+festival season being the reasons...your history talks sound super interesting, will be back to read about those, soon hopefully. Cheers.
Hi Nila - I can't go where Stephen King goes ... but perhaps understand what you're saying. I'm sorry your eyes aren't behaving as they should to repair easily and quickly - all the best with them. The festival season must be lots of fun and I know is a huge part of your culture. Thanks - I'm enjoying my history delving - cheers Hilary
An interesting look back and forward. Well done
Thanks Christopher ... I appreciate you coming by - cheers Hilary
Funny how that song bothers you. It's such a lovely absurdity. I'm with you about horror, though. I can only do comic horror, which I did for this hop, then forgot to share to the list (maybe because I left the next day to hike in the Grand Canyon... travel is distracting, but I'm not giving it up! That would be one of my nightmares--never to hit the trail again. Someday it will happen. I'll do my last backpack trip, then my last hike, then my last walk around the block...okay, now I'm spooked!).
Hi Rebecca - how lovely to see you ... the song always takes me back to that particular programme where I was definitely frightened - not like me ... but it's stuck. Ok - love the way you've turned the season into spooky horror thoughts ... great comment - thank you - you keep a-hiking ... travel is so well worth it ... enjoy - cheers Hilary
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