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SUPERNATURAL WAIL |
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by Charles Carreon As I rode home just yesternight I heard the banshee scream, And a strange wind came from the wild fen, and my heart began to grieve. I laid the lash to my horse's flank and spurred her through the dark; Her shoes struck hard in the moistened earth; Her hooves flung flying sod. The oaks along the river bank were shook as by a storm, And as I dodged their tossing arms I prayed to the Blessed One. I left the winding river road at the base of the Eastern hills, But behind still followed an evil laughter, the omen of sorrow and ills. Still urging on my faithful mare, whose mane seemed touched with elfish fire, We bounded over the tumbled stones and leapt the tangled briars. As I crested the knoll I sought the light of my cottage below in the vale -- Only dark met my eyes -- in the meaningless night I heard the departing wail. The spell was broke and filled at once as my horse blew a shuddering breath. We both looked around at the glittering sky as silent and strange as death. Down in the valley I wandered all night, 'till dawn came to seal my despair, And away in the village, the people, all strange, regard me with awe and chagrin, And kindly say, "Sir, in the place that you name, there's never a house that has been."
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