After finishing the cask of Amontillado, I slept until the morning sunlight beaming through the window awoke me.
A most curious and strange sensation overcame me, and I ran quickly to the cellar to inspect my masonry.
All was just as I had left it, I could faintly hear Fortunado rattle his chains as he wept. This was music to my ears, I had to hear it better. I removed the last brick so that the sound would travel unimpeded.
As I removed the brick my heart felt strangely lighter. I removed a second brick and the feeling was even stronger.
With each brick I removed I forgave the wretched Fortunado another grievance and as I removed the last brick, a feeling of great mercy overcame me and I released him. Freeing both him and myself from the weight of the past.
(An alternate ending the "The Cask of Amontillado" by E.A.
Illustration for Edgar Allan Poe's story "The Cask...
Engraving of Thomas Dunn English (1819-1902). Year...
English: Pile of bricks. Français : Un tas de bri...Poe 1846)
Bricks
One by one
the bricks are falling down
little by little
life and hopes turn 'round
Purging demons,
blame and shame
freeing spirits,
regaining a name
One by one
each brick must fall
breaking down
The cold stone wall
bit by bit
throwing out the fears
letting sunshine
bring new cheers
Day by day
no more shields and hiding
stretching slowly
in the arms of love
I have yielded
letting go
of hate, hurts and pain
Reborn in love,
saved again and again and again
Brick by brick
the wall becomes a road
less and less
no burden, no heavy load
paving the way
out of the prison gloom
into the sunshine
and the fields in bloom