I beg your pardon, Sir. Would you like to hear the simple story of Cupid’s Requiem? It’s a short tale of a pirate, a wench, the fishes and me. Oh- I would be happy to tell you, dear Sir. Mind you, I have nothing better to do. It is a ponderous tale of unrequited love and Cupid’s unyielding arrow....
My name is William Frederic Carlton, IV. I’m the son and heir to Lord Carlton from Remington at Wilshire, in the service of his majesty George III, sovereign King of England. It happened in the year 1789, the 14th day of February. I was 20 years old and as arrogant and fresh as a youth can be.
My lads and I found the Pub in lower wharf district. They said it was a place of artists, thieves and scoundrels. The smell of rum and whiskey permeated our senses. Absinthe was in ample supply. Dark men and beautiful lassies lined the walls with laughter and song.
She was a bowery girl, like none I had ever seen. Her hair was as red as fire and her eyes emerald green. She was full of life and danced upon the tables with the other wenches until my loins did rage with intoxication.
Please understand, Sir, -I just had to have her.
Cupid’s arrow penetrated my heart from the moment my nostrils inhaled her. She was a simple maiden and I knew she entertained all sorts, - but when she looked in my eyes- it disrupted my very soul. They warned me she belonged to another; a one eyed Pirate, the proprietor of Dante’s Pub. They said he had lost his eye and lower lip wrestling an alligator. Preposterous, I thought! I am William Frederic Carlton and a lowly pirate is no match for me. I want the wench and I will have her- if only for this eve.
She bent over my table with bosoms full and asked me, “Kind sir, what is your pleasure?’
I replied, “You, my Wench. You are my pleasure.”
She laughed and put her apron over my head. I grabbed for what I wanted! She erupted in a scream! With claws like a cat she penetrated my flesh! Her smile turned to frown as she stepped back from me.
The whole room fell silent as he rose like an ominous black shadow turning to look at me! I must admit, Sir, I gasped when I saw him! Nary a scary man than this pirate be!
Memory falls short, but I do recall, the pirate declared in gentlemen’s calm, “Dear Sir, may I have a word with thee?” 
So the drama’s done and we come to the end of a pirate, a wench, the fishes and me. You see, it was unrequited love that brought me such misery. Beware fine Sir, of Cupid’s Requiem: It laid me to rest at the bottom of the sea. Vikki North, 2009
The Artist Challenge/ Gallery #5 -UNREQUITED LOVE- is premiering NOW at the THE ARTIST CHALLENGE website. Artists of various mediums and styles are showing their interpretation of ‘Unrequited Love.’
The Artist Challenge/ Gallery #5 -UNREQUITED LOVE- is premiering NOW at the THE ARTIST CHALLENGE website. Artists of various mediums and styles are showing their interpretation of ‘Unrequited Love.’
We have the very best painters of the fine arts. We have mixed media, jewelry, lint& fabric, assemblage, collage, art candles and stunning pottery! We even have a French guy named Paul and a really cute deviant named Prateek. And Warning: ‘Parental guidance is suggested”.
Rum and Absinthes is on the house at
Happy Valentines Day!
My Painting is called Cupid’s Requiem. It is my submission for Gallery #5, at The Artist Challenge. 12”x16” Acrylic on un-stretched heavy-weight Canvas. I haven’t priced the original yet, but prints can be ordered upon request ($79). Contact me through The Red Chair Gallery.
