Beamish Boy

He battled his way through briar and thorn,
hacking and slashing ‘til passage was torn
to the castle beyond, draped in wisp and shroud
guarded by wraiths wailing long and loud.
His spirit quailed but righted itself
on thoughts of his goal and love of wealth.

He wrestled with demons, torments and pain
yet felt not a jot as he focussed on gain
‘til at last, in the chamber of ashes and gloom
he gasped, breathing hard in rank airless room
to bend on one knee before the figure laid there
with long tangled locks and visage so fair.

She silently rose, raising both dainty fists
to deliver a clout to his head, slapped his wrists
and said

“Those were my wraiths, my demons out there,
that troll was my father you thumped on the stair.
Now be off with you sharply, I’ve had my fill,and
do not forget this re-landscaping bill.”

2004 (edited 2017)