Sad Tale Of Clifford Griffin

Sad Tale of Clifford Griffin – I for one hear and listen to the music of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The wind that causes the trees to whisper, raindrops on aspen leaves, the hoot of a faraway owl – all of this is music to me. Sometimes high on the mountain of the towns that the glory has left, you hear the music of those that once were. The music of all that ghost has always left me sad. Here now is such a tale.

Store Front – Silver Plume, Colorado

Sad Tale of Clifford Griffin

Silver Plume and Clifford Griffin – oh’ what a sad tale indeed,
Even years later in the retelling – tragic – listen, but take heed.

Clifford was an eastern man born wealthy with a silver spoon,
When he asked his love for her hand in marriage one rainy afternoon.

The young bride was beautiful and enchanted – or so it seemed,
Clifford was handsome, and affluent – more than she had dreamed.

Blissful they were – wedding plans were made for the bride and groom,
Not knowing that fate and death waited outside in the wet and gloom.

The night before their nuptials the young lady became sick and died,
Death had taken his lady love – the woman that was to be his bride.

For three days he held her lifeless body – Clifford’s heart now broken,
Through the tears and grief those many hours he remained unspoken.

His grief and misery from her death would forever be proven timeless.
Through anguished and despair – Clifford a good man never lost his kindness.

Hoping to forget what he thought should be – and death’s long shadow,
With his forever love now gone, he fled west to Silver Plume, Colorado.

Located at the base of Pendleton Mountain and below timberline,
Clifford in Colorado became the owner not of a gold, but, a silver mine.

History, and his miners would always say he was one hell of a boss,
Even though sorrow and the death of his love would be his albatross.

Sundays and every day at the end of his employees and miners shift,
Clifford alone in his silver mine – played a violin – music was his gift.

Above the town the sad music, and melancholy would drift on down,
Clifford used his violin, bow, and music – his misery he tried to drown.

Sitting on their porches and listening to the mournful music – the miners would,
Knowing his tale they thought the music made him happy – they misunderstood.

For several years, this was Clifford’s unhappy life as it was meant to be,
One night he thought of a solution that he thought would set him free.

On this night the music played for longer than any night before,
Until midnight the music honored the love and the one he adored.

At the stroke of midnight – mountains echoed the sound of a gunshot,
Clifford took his own life against the one and only demon he fought.

The miners found him – pistol still in his hand – violin at his side,
As he entered the afterlife to be with his love – his almost bride.

A hundred years or more have passed since the tale of Clifford Griffin,
He still plays his violin and the sad music – you only have to listen.

Some sad songs and stories of love – beyond this life they transcend,
In Silver Plume, Colorado is where Clifford’s heartbreaking tale never ends.
Kurt James
Kurt James © 2017

Where to buy Kurt James novels:

https://www.amazon.com/Kurt-James/e/B01DTOJ7KC/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1506781410&sr=8-1

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Kurt James

Kurt James was born and raised in the foothills of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Kurt’s family roots were from western Kansas and having lived in South Dakota for 20 years, Kurt naturally had become an old western and nature enthusiast. Over the years Kurt has become one of Colorado’s prominent nature photographers through his brand name of Midnight Wind Photography. The Denver Post, PM Magazine, and 9NEWS in Denver, Colorado featured his poetry. Kurt is also a feature writer for HubPages and Creative Exiles with the article’s focused on Colorado history, ghost towns, outlaws, and poetry. Inspired at a young age by writers such as Jack London, Louis L’Amour, and Max Brand have formed Kurt’s natural ability as a storyteller. Kurt has published 16 books all based in and around the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Using the Midnight Wind Publishing brand, Kurt James novels, short stories, reference books, and poetry, are available in print or download on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and other fine bookstores. And a few shady bookstores as well. Kurt has 3 books that he is currently writing. The 8th book in his Rocky Mountain Series - Raphael Eye for an Eye. His third ghost town reference book, Kansas Ghost Towns, Hauntings, Treasure Tales, and Other BS. And a western/horror novel - Devil’s Tower Spirit of Chiha Tanka. Kurt is a proud member of Western Writers of America.

6 thoughts on “Sad Tale Of Clifford Griffin

  • September 30, 2017 at 10:04 AM
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    Oh, how sad, melancholy and so interesting. I have chills thinking about lonely Clifford who mourned his lovely bride. You have penned this so well, Kurt, that I can hear the sorrowful music echoing out from the mine. It is beautiful and sad. Your rhyme is so well done. I love this sad tale.

    • September 30, 2017 at 10:16 AM
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      Even when I was little and had heard this tale I could also hear the music above the town when I visited. Or at least I thought I did. – Silver Plume, Colorado has another more modern murder mystery that was even featured on “Unsolved Mysteries” – maybe soon I will write my version of that story as well…

  • September 30, 2017 at 3:50 PM
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    A tragic and heartbreaking tale expertly portrayed through your poetry. Well done Kurt, and a pleasure to read.

    • September 30, 2017 at 5:33 PM
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      The Rocky Mountain are full of tragic stories of those who were brave enough to seek the wilderness trail. They also are full of stories of courage, hope, and of course love. I feel fortunate to live here in Colorado. Thanks for stopping by John.

  • September 30, 2017 at 10:07 PM
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    So nicely emotive and a sad tale of love tragically lost, a broken heart and eventual reunion in the afterlife. Well penned and enjoyed Kurt. Cheers!

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