The Black Veil - by DB Sullivan

The Black Veil - A Gothic Poem by DB Sullivan

I knew this day would come. I must confess,

It’s quite surreal to have this taking place.

I hold emotions tight within my dress,

Behind the veil of black that hides my face.

Arriving at the church, I’m overcome

By all the feelings that I have inside.

Until the end, I’m staying silent, mum,

But absolutely present, misty-eyed.

I’m ushered to the front and find my place

With slightly trembling hands, I breathe and wait.

Chantilly lace and crepe obscure my face,

my heart begins to race and palpitate.

The priest begins with welcoming regards.

He then proceeds to bow and raise his hands

Aloft, appealing unto Heav’nly guards

This group of hearts in silence fore him stands.

We bow our heads in rev’rent piety,

And pray that God attend these supplicants

Of mortal flesh. Dispel anxiety -

New life awaits infused with sustenance.

The rites are read to sanctify and bless

Transitioning from this life to the next.

Our faithfulness in God again profess,

That we, in times of strife need not be vexed.

The organ and its pipes uplift the hymn,

Resounding with an echoing reply.

The colored glass of windows dark and dim

From thunder clouds and rainfall rolling by.

A single rose of red I hold in hand,

With silken gloves that all my arms conceal.

My knees are weak and faint, but here I stand.

Chiffon of black hides ev’rything I feel.

Devotions made, felicitations said,

Means soon will be the last and final bell.

When after tributes voiced and scriptures read,

I find I’m falling farther under spell.

I feel the eyes of all that gathered here,

Anticipating words from me. I start

A deep and steeling breath so all may hear

My words before they'll see me come apart.

And now, with sacramental candles lit,

All other persons did their prayers purvey,

The time has come for me - the last commit.

From ev’ry corner of my soul I say:

“I do”.

Gothic Poetry by DB Sullivan

Copyright ©2025 by D B Sullivan. All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author.