Gone With the Wind - The Poem (Page 1)

Gone With the Wind - The Poem

You may think this poem is a bit strange -- I had to twist the story a bit to make things rhyme. Please do not steal it - it was hard work. November 25, 2001 - I am beginning to work on this poem again, so there will be an update soon. :)

On the front steps sits Scarlett O'Hara:
those sweeping steps of her home called Tara.
A Tarleton twin on either side
talking of the war until she cried
"War, war, war! I've had it up to here!"
and the boys replied "We're sorry, dear!
Eat with us at the barbeque!"
"Oh, no, I won't! I'm mad at you!"
"We'll tell you a secret if you agree
about Ashley's cousin, Melanie!"
"Who wants to know a thing 'bout her?"
"You will, honey, you will for sure!
Wilkes' always marry their family
so Ashley's marrying Cousin Melanie!"
Scarlett's face held a look of sadness
that melted away in a moment of madness.
"He can't marry her! He loves me, I know!"
Her heart was aching with new-found sorrow.
She left the twins and ran down the road
wanting her father to lighten her load
and tell her that those rumors weren't true.
"They are, Katie Scarlett. What's gotten into you?"
"Oh, Pa, it's nothing. The idea is just new."
"You're lying, I know, and I be proud.
So why not hang around a different crowd?
Just so long you marry, Scarlett O'Hara,
I will leave you my plantation, Tara."
"I don't want Tara! Land means nothing to me!"
"Well, you're a child yet. You'll learn to see
that land is everything, worth dying for!
It's the only thing you'll have for sure."

The next day Scarlett went to the barbeque
in her prettiest dress that let men view
everything she had - her bosom and waist,
but showed them with no lack of taste.
Mammy had argued about the dress,
but then, defeated, cried in distress,
"It don' matter ta me! Just eat a little!
You don' wanna gobble them there vittles!"
"No Mammy! I won't even listen to you.
I'm gonna have fun, an' do my eating at the barbeque."
"I'll tell your Ma about dat dress!"
"No Mammy! I'll eat that mess."
So, full of food, Scarlett arrived at Twelve Oaks
along with a wagon full of her folks.
She greeted the Tarletons with a smile
and flirted with them, but all the while
her eyes were scanning the growing crowd
who were laughing and talking and being loud
for Ashley's light locks or pasty complexion...
She found them and headed in his direction.
"Ashley! Ashley! I've something to tell you!"
Ashley smiled. "I have something for you too!"
He led her to Melly, and grinning wide
he said loudly, "Melly's my bride!"
He glanced at Scarlett apprehensively.
She turned her head so no one could see
the longing and sadness in her eyes so green
they shamed even the emerald's sheen.
"How wonderful!" Scarlett lied
while her stomach was knotting inside.
"We'll just have to make a fuss over you!
And one to do so is Ashley, it's true!
Though don't believe a word he says."
"Oh Scarlett! We are going to be friends!"
Scarlett felt someone approach behind her
and viewed, standing there, Melly's brother.
"Why Charles Hamilton! You handsome ol' thing!
You can eat barbeque with me, can't you? I think
you came up here just to break my heart!"
Charles just stared, unable to part
with the even gaze of those titled eyes.
That she even spoke to him was a surprise.
"It's settled then! I'll see you later!"
she said to Melanie, learning to hate her.
She walked to the staircase and then
met up with Cathleen, her only good friend.
They walked in silence till Scarlett looked down
and saw a man there. She asked with a frown
"Cathleen, who is that man looking so?"
"My dear! Don't you know?
That's Rhett Butler, a Charleston man!
He has the worst reputation in the land!
He isn't even received by his own family!"
"He knows what I look like without my shimmy!"
Scarlett said with an excited shiver.
"He took a girl without a chauffeur
or a chaperone on a buggy ride
and then refused to make her his bride!"
"Did she have a baby?" Scarlett asked.
"No, she didn't," Cathleen confessed.

The barbeque was a great success!
The men flocked around her, admiring her dress,
her hair, her smile, and even her voice.
She could hardly think for all the noise.
A confession of love came from Charlie
who got her dessert and sat by her knee.
She had all she wanted, except Ashley
who was sitting, dutifully, beside Melanie.
During the time when the girls all slept
Scarlett escaped and quietly crept
out the door and down the stairs
too wrapped up in her own affairs
to think of the consequences of her actions.
She was blinded by her blind affections.
Ashley came by in a moment or two
and Scarlett cried, "I need to talk to you!"
She pulled him through the library door
and confessed, "I love you! Everyday more!"
"Scarlett!" Ashley cried in shock,
his face paling to the hue of chalk.
"I'm going to marry Melanie!"
"Oh no you aren't! Marry me!
You led me to think you loved me so!"
"Scarlett! Be fair! I didn't, you know!"
"You did! I'll hate you till you die!"
She slapped him as she let out a cry.
He looked at her, then turned to leave
She picked up a bowl and proceeded to heave
it to the fireplace across the room.
Her life was over, there was nothing left . . .
"Has the war started yet?"
From the depths of the sofa came the voice.
At the sound her heart did not rejoice!
Rhett Butler sat up and grinned.
"Sir! You're not a gentleman!"
"You're not acting like a lady, you see,
but ladies never have charmed me.
I'd like to see more of you when
you've gotten rid of your blonde-haired friend."
Scarlett stomped and left the room
blinded by depression and gloom.
She had gotten to the stairs when she heard
her sister saying "On my word!
Scarlett was sure a disgrace today!"
"Hush up! That's not nice to say!"
Melanie said on Scarlett's behalf.
"She's so attractive she can't help it!"
Scarlett was so upset she fell into a fit
of crying and frustration. But, suddenly,
yells came from all directions! She began to flee
the room to find what the excitement's about.
"The war has come!" Charles said with a shout.
"Everyone's signing up! I'm going too!"
"Everyone? Not Ashley! It can't be true!"
Scarlett cried inside, but outwardly she was fine
as she ran to the window and looked outside.
Ashley was on his horse, Melanie by his shoe
and as she watched, they kissed. It was true!
"Will you pray for me, Scarlett?" Charles asked shyly.
"A rosary a night!" Scarlett said slyly.
"Will you wait for me?" Charles yelped with glee.
"I shouldn't want to wait. Marry me!"
"You'll marry me before I go? This is great!
I'll look for your father now! Please wait!"
Scarlett watched as he went away
and broke into tears of disappointment and dismay.

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