DS Question #1 - A Poem

[Liz]

Welcome, Noodlemantras, to our discussion of Dark Shadows: Return to Collinwood.

Most of you know our guidelines here at ONBC, but here's a refresher course for those who may not have participated before.

Please keep your answers relevant to the question of the day and try not to stray too far from that topic so we don't discuss the entire book in one day! The most important guideline, of course, is that there are no wrong answers!! Respectfully differing opinions are always welcome and make for a good discussion.

So without further ado, let’s dig in….



Comment on David Selby’s poem. Did any particular lines speak to you?

Dark Shadows
A Poem
by David Selby

Forty some years ago, so far away
But the memories through time do burn
As if they happened only yesterday
And back to Collinwood I do return

When a certain evil ghost did appear
With a spell to cast and a plot to scheme
Luring children to a room so to hear
An old gramophone playing
Quentin’s theme

His frock coat covered a physique so lean
You knew he had to have something mean
up his sleeve
All his wickedness had yet to be seen
His spirit was such they had to believe

There was no choice but to pack up
and leave
But Barnabas came to even the score
Though ended back where he couldn’t
foresee
Trapped in his coffin, a vampire once more

He travels through time where
Quentin’s alive
Mysteries, secrets and intrigues galore
And son-of-a-gun ratings revive
With millions of fans clamoring for more

Dark Shadows had more surprises of doom
Quentin’s zombie who rises and walks
Then is a werewolf who howls at full moon
But in day sounds normal now that he talks

Suddenly a cure for his curse is found
Which Count Petofi finally effects
Now Quentin’s immortal and more
renowned
But the vampire’s taste for beautiful necks

Again wrecks havoc with Barnabas’ life
When Angelique dies, Barnabas is lost
So is his chance for a beautiful wife
Grief-stricken he knows what this has
All cost

And with Julia climbs the stairway
through time
Then Quentin destroys the stairs to the past
But the memories are there, yours and mine
Shadows of the night and the spell they cast.

[shadowydog]

Wow does that bring back the memories of Quentin's ride through Dark Shadows and the haunting music of Quentin's theme. I love that poem.

[Liz]

Thanks for starting us off, Shadowydog.

I like the last stanza:

And with Julia climbs the stairway
through time
Then Quentin destroys the stairs to the past
But the memories are there, yours and mine
Shadows of the night and the spell they cast.

I think it is beautifully written and is an appropriate ending, not only for the show but for all of the fans.

[Pearlsgirl]

The poem is lovely and haunting...but I'm surprised it was allowed to be posted. I thought poetry - all poetry - was banned on the Zone.

Quentin is a very romantic character...and that song "Shadows of the Night", aka Quentin's theme, still mesmerizes me every time I hear it. I saw those words in the last line of his poem, and it made me smile.

[Theresa]

The poem is lovely and haunting...but I'm surprised it was allowed to be posted. I thought poetry - all poetry - was banned on the Zone.

This is not a fan-created poem, it is from a book that ONBC is currently discussing. It's not the same thing at all, and there is no issue with Liz posting it here for discussion.

[DeppInTheHeartOfTexas]

I'm not a much of a critic when it comes to poetry. It is a very nice tribute to his character and to the fans of the show. You can certainly tell he writes from the heart and when you watch interviews with him he seems like a very gentle soul. In this particular case I like the way he connects the stanzas, one to the next, instead of each stanza having it's own existence apart the others. To me it reads more like a story. Hope that makes sense. I'm sure there is a name for this particular type of writing but I'm clueless!

[shadowydog]

I'm not a much of a critic when it comes to poetry. It is a very nice tribute to his character and to the fans of the show. You can certainly tell he writes from the heart and when you watch interviews with him he seems like a very gentle soul. In this particular case I like the way he connects the stanzas, one to the next, instead of each stanza having it's own existence apart the others. To me it reads more like a story. Hope that makes sense. I'm sure there is a name for this particular type of writing but I'm clueless!

A Poem. Actually only in the recent times have poems become the disconnected stream of consiousness that poetry has become.

[DeppInTheHeartOfTexas]

I'm not a much of a critic when it comes to poetry. It is a very nice tribute to his character and to the fans of the show. You can certainly tell he writes from the heart and when you watch interviews with him he seems like a very gentle soul. In this particular case I like the way he connects the stanzas, one to the next, instead of each stanza having it's own existence apart the others. To me it reads more like a story. Hope that makes sense. I'm sure there is a name for this particular type of writing but I'm clueless!

A Poem. Actually only in the recent times have poems become the disconnected stream of consiousness that poetry has become.

Just the kind I like! That is very true, shadowydog. When you think back to the poetry we studied in school from way back there were definite composition rules it seems.

[nebraska]

As a newcomer to the whole Dark Shadows scene, I don't identify with much of the poem but the opening, I think, applies to anyone who has lived for a period of time or experienced loss or great joy:

... years ago, so far away
But the memories through time do burn
As if they happened only yesterday

Very eloquent!

[Liz]

As a newcomer to the whole Dark Shadows scene, I don't identify with much of the poem but the opening, I think, applies to anyone who has lived for a period of time or experienced loss or great joy:

... years ago, so far away
But the memories through time do burn
As if they happened only yesterday

Very eloquent!

Eloquent indeed. And yes, I can relate. Good point, nebraska.

[SnoopyDances]

Yeah! Let the discussing begin!

I enjoyed the poem very much. I thought it was a nice touch to the book and stirs up fond memories. As I was young when the show aired, I don't remember all the plot lines, but I do remember Barnabas and Quentin. What a great rivalry. Quentin could be so evil sometimes...it's good to find out that David is a really nice guy.

Also, I think the poem reflects the tone of the narration on the show. It sounds like something that could be read over the opening and closing credits.

[shadowydog]

:loveshower: Yeah! Let the discussing begin!

I enjoyed the poem very much. I thought it was a nice touch to the book and stirs up fond memories. As I was young when the show aired, I don't remember all the plot lines, but I do remember Barnabas and Quentin. What a great rivalry. Quentin could be so evil sometimes...it's good to find out that David is a really nice guy.

Also, I think the poem reflects the tone of the narration on the show. It sounds like something that could be read over the opening and closing credits.

How long was Quentin appearing in the series before he ever opened his mouth and said anything?

I think that is part of the poem as well.

[Liz]

How long was Quentin appearing in the series before he ever opened his mouth and said anything?

According to the Chaddarbay.com/Dark Shadows website:

For his first several weeks on the show he didn't speak; he played Quentin Collins, a silent, extremely menacing ghost who traumatized children Amy and David, and drove everyone out of Collinwood.

Eventually, though, the actor got a chance to talk when the storyline was shifted to the past again, to 1897, to explore Quentin's history.