February 3rd's ghostly tune.

On February 3rd, of this year

the idea of sleep will horrify me.

I'll be visualizing a terrifying sight

I know will haunt me as it has

for years. 

There'll be a whistling breeze. 

Then, with its eerie melody, 

a voice will come fleeting by. 

His southern drawl will be 

unmistakable:

"You say you're gonna leave, 

you know it's a lie 'cause 

that'll be the day that I die."

The recurring words echo each year

orchestrated as notes playing

to a troubled, sputtering engine 

descending above the cornfield.

Sweat will form on my face. 

A trickle will run down my cheek.

My bed will feel like a tomb.

Panic will set in

there'll be a quick series

of sickening thuds

then, like it always does

the music will die--

in the cold, silent, snow.

Author's Note

On February 3, 1959, rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together with the pilot, Roger Peterson. The event later became known as "The Day the Music Died", after singer-songwriter Don McLean so referred to it in his song "American Pie".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_the_Music_Died

Reviews

[Muse]

I thought you had to mention Writerscafe to be on the popular reading list?
;)

You outdid yourself on this one sweetie. A beautiful prose with a touch of sadness and whimsy. There's something to be said about the 3 o'clock hour...I too have had experiences and dreamed odd things during this time of night...maybe it's at this hour when we think we are sleeping...instead; our consciousness is truly awake.

[Relic]

The popular reading list? What's that? That may have to do with my friend Lori. She's really sweet. She told everyone about this one. Thanks for the review, you know I appreciate it.

[Kelly Scheppers]

"...and the music dies in cold, silent snow."

We lost so many due to airplane flights. The click-on gave such an impact to your words...the silence truly resonates!

[Rita L. Sev]

Very cool write - Read it as an eerie mystery at first, then read your note and saw the pic. That place, I'm sure, echoes with their voices...

[Relic]

Thanks so much for reading Rita.

[Frieda P]

Thought this was a personal loss until I read your author's note, great tribute to one of our great artists, lost all too soon as so many of them are. Much enjoyed this read Relic.

[Relic]

Thank you Frieda.

[London's Lily]

I believe this is my first time reading your work ~ thanks to Lori for sending me over :)

This poem is fantastic. I had a strange feeling that I knew what you were writing about, and as I was beginning the 2nd stanza, my eyes caught a glimpse of "1959," confirming. I smiled slightly, my head tilted in understanding and a pang of sadness as I read the rest. This poem is vivid and harsh, just like the reality of what happened that day. Well done. :)

[Relic]

Thanks very much for your time and kind words. I appreciate it.

[Pete Langley]

The death of our ikons always leaves a very real scar....not just because of their greatness, but because of the associations that greatness holds for us personally. I`ve always been a Buddy Holly fan...I think he was a symbol for all the kids (I was fifteen when he died) because he looked like a geeky kid himself, despite being a unique professional entertainer. Very poignant, Relic. P.

[Relic]

Thanks very much for your thoughts Pete. I couldn't get Peggy Sue (singing out love for a girl, to a rhythmic beat) out of my head for the last couple of days so this is the result.

[Vikrantsingh]

This one is sad and really very good poem :)
Loved the way you added your feeling to this great work :)
Relic wonderful :)
Thanks to Lori for read request :)
- Singh :)

[Relic]

I appreciate the review, thank you.

[Ravyne Hawke]

Oh wow, Relic! You described that night perfectly.. such a sad time for music with the death of these great men. I read it, saw your note, looked at the picture and then re-read the poem.. I got such a chill up my spine at the end.

one little error: carry's should be carries

great job dear!

[Relic]

Thanks for telling me that Lori and thanks for reading.

[Ravyne Hawke]

my pleasure dear =)

[Baby Ricochet]

WOW! Such a sad, spooky kind of poem. I'm glad to see you posting again sir. I missed you

[Relic]

Thanks Ric, that means a lot to me. :)

[Pax]

i felt the sadness, the haunting tune of longging. Perhaps the special girl remains an echoe of that tragic accident. Murmuring the cold numb feeling of emptiness., oh how sad this piece is...

great to read from you again my friend!

[Relic]

Thank you Pax. This one's a little vague and I wasn't sure people would get it. If you click on the picture its meaning may change a little.

[Pax]

ahh i see, don't worry my friend, poetry is always open to different interpretation. You are most welcome :)

[Relic]

Yes, I agree.