AUTUMN VEIL

THE AUTUMN VEIL

Illustrations by Roger Hodge*

There is a chill in the room today. Autumn makes a grand entrance as she dances upon the mist and beats her tambourine. 

Round and round she spins in twirls, swirls, dips, and lifts; the rustle of her colorful skirt illuminated by the morning sun. 

I watch from the window. The pane rattles with anticipation as she rustles by, playing peek-a-boo with the lace curtains hanging there. 

I hear the hushed whispers, telling secrets and then, the howling laughter. A shiver runs the length of my spine. Where is my shawl…? 

Who? She asks as she taps at my door. Whooooo? 

I don’t remember. Something stops me cold as I step toward the threshold; wanting to open it for her but dread fills my veins and I am frozen in fear. 

I don’t know who. I only know the room is becoming colder, musty and damp. Again I feel the icy fingers running up and down my back; I shiver. 

From behind my veil, I watch the hours play games in the shadows, running through the tall grass that was once a handsome lawn where we played croquet. 

The Red Maples that line the meandering drive to our front door are set ablaze in the twilight. Flaming embers soon cover the ground. 

As dusk approaches, the playful breezes turn sinister and foreboding. Their sharp tongues cut through the tree limbs like a knife. 

Detached, I stand watching with a morbid captivation. 

The branches moan under the assault. Blood sprays into the air, falling like a tortured rain to form pools of crimson scarlet on the ground below. 

Who? The wind wails as it beats upon my door. Whooo? 

Who indeed! 

Faces appear upon the window glass, painted in frost and howling from the pain of the changing. 

I cannot let you in. 

Detached!…I am stolid, unaffected, numb… I cannot escape these unhallowed hollow walls. I wear them like a shroud to shelter me from the mocking winter as she approaches. 

No, I will not open the door for the season though she amuses and confuses the senses. I will not welcome her in so she can distract me whilst the frigid grip of death tightens around my neck. I will not surrender to immortality! 

The night covers the landscape like a pall. Darkness and the creatures that haunt within are my only companions. 

I, in my mantilla, shall ascend the grand staircase and retire to my chamber and awaken to my mourning; forever in autumn. 

M TERESA CLAYTON 


* INTRODUCING R. L. HODGE

Horror- Fantasy artist RL Hodge was born on March 10th, 1966 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Today, he makes his home and studio in Sevierville, Tennessee with his wife Ann and their one eared cat, Mr. Kitty. He is also the proud father of one son, Logan, from a previous marriage. 

Though Mr. Hodge studied fine art for two years at the Art Institute of Cincinnati, he also considers himself largely a self-taught artist. He now crafts his original works of art with a mixed media technique involving digital and traditional styles. Earlier works were done with pencils, watercolor, and ink. He began his art career in 1993 doing comic book and T-Shirt art. 

Much to his surprise, the interest in his Horror - Fantasy art seemed to increase very quickly once he showcased his art in a local comic shop. He expanded to include conventions and the web after several well know artists (Tim Bradstreet, David Mack, and Jeff Smith) viewed his work and convinced him to take a more serious outlook on the world of art and "To make your mark..." - David Mack of Kabuki fame. 

He is perhaps most known for his ability to capture the haunting and often mysterious beauty of scenes totally opposite of reality. Each of his visions brought to life on the digital canvas have a personality of their own, evoking strong feelings in those who view them. Some of his characters are elegant, soft and full of splendor, while others are defiant, dark and deadly. 

When asked about the path he chose to follow with his art, RL Hodge had this to say..."I didn't choose to paint images of dark fantasy for my art career. It honestly never seemed like a choice, more like I was destined. From the time I was a young boy, I fell in love with the Universal Monster Movies, Creepy and Eerie magazines, and fantasy art, especially art centered on the things that go bump in the dark. I am inspired by many things...books, movies, music, and my nightmares. I hope that my artwork serves to remind others of the darkness that surrounds us and lives within us always." - RL Hodge 

“The art of RL Hodge captures the stark reality of your dreams and then twists them into something eerie and frightening. Then he turns and snatches a nightmare or two and casts a romantic dreamlike spell that makes it all seem right.” – M Teresa Clayton, author of MYSTIC VERSES. Learn more about this artist by visiting www.rlhodge.com