Goblin Dell

He spoke of the stream that flowed uphill

In a grotto, long forgot,

Then said the stream would be flowing still,

And I could believe, or not.

I thought he was strange, with a twisted mind

For the concept was insane,

He said that he came from another time

In a land of eternal rain.

 

I’d met him at Janet’s party where

He drifted from room to room,

Where everyone else was hearty but

He gave off an air of gloom.

I noticed one of his eyes was blue

The other was green, I’d say,

Whenever he stared they both were red

And his face became slate grey.

 

I’ll never know why he spoke to me

I hadn’t met him before,

He had this prominent artery

That ran the length of his jaw,

His voice was flat and unmusical

Though it said the strangest things,

The bones of knuckles were beautiful

He said, when covered in rings.

 

I followed him to the verandah where

I found him gazing at stars,

He said they seemed to be back to front

I said, ‘Well at least, they’re ours.’

‘The grass I knew was a deeper blue,’

He said, ‘and the sky was green,’

I said, ‘You must be from out of town,

We would think that was obscene.’

 

He said ‘You’re not very friendly,’ when

I thought we were doing fine,

He asked me to show him the number six

But I showed him the number nine.

The bus would take him to Goblin Dell

By the longest way around,

I said to myself, it’s just as well

He’ll end in the Lost and Found.

 

I still regret that I didn’t go

To the grotto, long forgot,

He said he was willing to take me there

Whether I would, or not,

I’d like to have seen the fabled stream

That he said had flowed uphill,

And where it led to the source of dream

Where the rain is raining still.

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[ANTO]

Excellent clue in the back to front stars David. A real teaser. One of those people with the 'far away look' in their eyes.This is a Darby O'Gill type character who knows more of other realms than we can even imagine (yes even you too !! lol) - he may be ridiculed on our side of the stars but he is probably regaled on his side.
Class poem DLP :D

[Lyndy]

Oh, I love this poem! It is wonderfully and interestingly written. :)

[Barbz]

You have the knack of making one wish they were the recipients of these extremely unusual experiences. One could have a unforgettable party in your head! Additionally, as unusual the Story, it is a start to finish experience. A Story in Rhyme....Much of my reads and language skills, as a child, started with Stories in Rhyme.....most, testing my imagination. Excellent, as usual, DLP.......Barbz

[Einstein Noodle]

well ...one can be tempted but i dont think i will venture to Goblin Dell ...tho i will not look the same upon the dell i live by now ..(river flowing down thank you very much;) always entertaining and inspiring to read your stuff! wonderful stories in poem to read to me grand babies at night :))
E.

[Tate Morgan]

interesting David the play on words divine