Cockroach Castle

There’s a scurrying sound of something, burrowing,

Down in the depths of the dungeons, hurrying,

Skittering, pittering-pattering, scattering

When there’s a footstep, hear them chattering:

‘Here come the lords, and here comes the vassal,

Tripping their way through Cockroach Castle.’

 

Here come the ladies, all in their finery

Tripping and sipping the wine from the winery,

Trailing their silks, their satins and bustling,

Up in the ballroom, while the rustling

Army beneath the sounds of their razzle

Is down in the depths of Cockroach Castle.

 

Spilling their millions up in the glooming

Out from the flagstones, terror is looming,

Up on the awnings, hung from the ceiling

Under the swish of the skirts they’re stealing,

Dropping in hair, and burrowing faster,

Cockroach Castle is set for disaster.

 

Suddenly all of the room is screaming

Flapping of hands, the roaches are teeming,

Myriad hordes in the Carbonara,

Candles are tipped from the candelabra,

Choking smoke from the candles guttered,

Flames leap up from the ones that stuttered.

 

Clothing and flags and the awnings razing

Silks and satins flare up, and blazing,

Roaches in eyes and ears, they’re rasping

Clogging their throats, to leave them gasping,

There isn’t a lady or lord, or vassal

To come out alive from Cockroach Castle!

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Delmar Cooper]

"And what do you deduce from this poem, Holmes?"
"Elementary my dear Watson, this poet reads a great deal. We have a scholar poet loose in Australia."

Loved the poem in every element, but most loved and most enjoyed the rthymn. Memories of "Congo" appeared. Thanks.

[Lyn Anderson]

The clever anthropomorphic cockroach show. A lovely, smart, and funny piece. Funny how so many of your funnies seem to end in disaster ...:)

[Marie]

Wow, I loved this piece. The image you brought to life was one of the best. As I read I could see it all, feel it and found myself running and yet, I paused to look back at the bellowing smoke and listened to the screams and wails of those trapped within. I swear I heard a cockroach laugh a evil laugh, but couldn't be sure. I am very glad that it was on a page and not something I was involved with in reality. Amazing images...

[Marie]

I think cockroaches do laugh evil laughs; we just don't hear them.

possibility... great read though