Thrice tried
By the light of this last
summer’s moon I was walking
along a woodland brooke,
finding by my boots the way home.
By a tree trunk suddenly a woman
appeared, looking as if she was dying.
Softly she said not only she, but also
her wee bairn was close to its life’s ending.
She needed my help, but there was a glint
in her eyes. I passed her by…
Not more than a mile furher on, a goat was
tethered with a rope, bait for the wolves
and she screamed dreadful panic.
I was tempted to set her free, but I also knew
the wolves had not yet returned for the winter,
so I let her scream at me.
Just before wood’s ending,
a beautiful white horse begged
to be ridden to safety,
yet I saw no threat,
nor no need for I was but half a mile from
my bed and I knew
no banshee had cried for me.
I was never drunk and they had told me the name of this path:
Púca’s reign.
Sweet dreams came to visit,
while my boots stood on guard.
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Comments
Hi John... forgive me if I'm wrong but I understand 'puca's reign' to be mischievous and shape-shifting... therefore the animals you saw were some kind of personal test or triumph? I would have failed and set them all free lol. A good read x
I fully admit, I had to look up puca as I could only guess. I knew it was something to do with the fae but I didn't know what exactly. Anyway, I looked it up and it appears to be some sort of shapeshifting goblin. They have to entice a human onto there back. Hmmm ... so it got you in the end! I love this poem. It is full of mystical things and I love anything mystical. A fabulous poem x
Hi, Marion, thanx for getting this one. The Puca is indeed a nasty creature, but I wanted to tell a different tale than the usual Irish one about somebody falling for the tricks😁 I was watching a Ted talk about Samhain to people in Tralee, Ireland, when an inspiration particle hit me. The boots are a reference to an old man in Terry Pratchet's series about Tiffany Aching (A hatful of sky, I think) - great reading about a young witch finding true witchcraft. I have always loved Gaelic mythology... So, a word to the wise:"watch out when walking in the night" 🤣
Thank you, but the Puca never got the "I" in the poem, he was saved by foreknowledge and his boots. I wad going to do a Kelpie at first, but that is an even nastier one, but alas a Scottish creature, so it did not fit in with the Banshee "that did not cry for me" i.e. "I" knew I was not going to die that night and saw the signs it was a Puca... I just needed to tell a different tale, for Samhain was already long gone🤔🤣
It is indeed a different tale, very dreamy and mythical.
Thumbs up for your imagination, John.
Take good care of you both.
Bernadete
Hanx, we sure will take care, there are a few Pucas too many out there, but my boots are always vigilant🤣
lol most amusing especially your last line as I can see where those boots may end up! Most entertaining indeed dear John. 🌹
John thanks for enlightening me on the subject matter from comments above.
Can see now what your poem signifies and signifies well with the (folk) lore of legend.
Richly imagined and your last lines-
'Sweet dreams came to visit,
while my boots stood on guard.
Reads epic.
With words and imagery the Brothers Grimm would be proud of.
Thanks for educating me on the mythical subject and full honors deserving to your good self.
Shaun :)