Crossing the Bridge

I was out when the heavens opened up,

I was only but halfway there,

I hadn’t a coat or umbrella then

On my way to my darling dear,

But she was dry in her great big house

That was built up high on the ridge,

The river rose and it blocked my path

With the Warlock, guarding the bridge.

 

His hat was wet and his cloak had flared

While his eyes, pinpoints of red,

Stood out from under his hat and stared

As my mind was filled with dread,

I didn’t know if he’d let me pass

I had met his type before,

He was grumble-growl with a werewolf’s howl

And a sharp and mighty claw.

 

I tried to pass on the narrow bridge

But he growled, ‘Who goes you where?’

I said, ‘I’m going to meet my girl

In the house on the ridge up there.’

‘You shall not pass, you shall not go,

I shall tear you limb from limb,’

His claws he raised in a grisly show

And his jaw was set and grim.

 

The rain continued its pelting down

And the thunder pealed above,

I felt determined to beat this clown

I was fortified with love.

‘You’ll not be wanting to cross Nyrene

She will drop a spell or two,

That will tear apart your Warlock’s heart

When her spell is done with you.’

 

The Warlock started to make reply

When the lightning hit the rail,

And lit him up like a paper cup

From his head down to his tail,

The river washed him across the bridge

And into its raging flow,

Whether he drowned or fried that day

Well really, I wouldn’t know.

 

‘You shouldn’t have used my name in vain,’

Nyrene told me at the door,

‘That lightning flash may have caused you pain,

It was kept in my ‘Un-aimed’ Store.’

I never go up if the rivers rise

When Nyrene’s home on the ridge,

If lightning’s lurking up in the skies

Or a Warlock’s guarding the bridge.

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Coming back to you is always such a pleasure. Your words have the intensity of the warmest hug.

Lines that really stood out for me are:

"He was grumble-growl with a werewolf’s howl"

"I was fortified with love."

"When the lightning hit the rail,
And lit him up like a paper cup
From his head down to his tail,"

"Whether he drowned or fried that day
Well really, I wouldn’t know."

"If lightning’s lurking up in the skies
Or a Warlock’s guarding the bridge."

Excellent, as always!

[A Soap Mess Stories]

Loved the rhytm as I read this...

[minisla]

Oh if only I had a portion of your imagination I'd be quite content

[andrew mitchell]

What a story David, like Robin Hood jostling on the bridge with Little John when he wanted to cross lol. A great write Dave

[gentlekindness]

This is so cool. It entrances you and draws you into the story.
I love these kinds of magical and supernatural characters.
Annie💃

[abderrahmane dakir]

I enjoyed reading this a great story with a great rhyme. Thank you for sharing.

[Len]

David, Your score is 85 because I want to spur you to read reams of poetry, Shakespeare, the great Greeks (prose, poetry, dialogues), Milton, Chaucer, et al. You have a natural gift for rhythm and rhyme and story telling. Now even at your age you can, and will, continue to develop if you live with these writers, memorize what deeply moves you, and read the King James Version of the Bible,-- and it will be my privilege to read your work newly minted from all the great writers. --Best of luck.Work hard; you've got lots of talent!

[Weeping willow]

Wonderful story,I really enjoyed the reading of it;-]

[Nael Adwan]

Totally nice , short to the point

[R Smith]

nice work David but you could have picked a nice sweet girl to go visit lol, don't think I'd be inclined to pursue this relationship but as a poem/story it was brilliant but that's the norm for you I'm thinking :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i know my style is not your cup of tea, David...but i so enjoy reading you...your words are distinguished and pure, like the rain that "continues pelting down"---

j.