Doctor Bones

I watched him stalk through the evergreens

In his black top hat and tails,

Just like some figure, lost in dreams

Or a voodoo doll, with wails,

I’d heard that they called him Doctor Bones

And thought that I could see why,

With teeth that gleamed like white tombstones

And a hole for a missing eye.

‘You conjure him up,’ said Marceline,

‘You bring him back from the grave,

His ancestors had laid him down

He was much too bad to save.’

She called Darleen and she told her, ‘go,

Bring a ritual bird to slay,

We have to get rid of Doctor Bones

Or Marc may die today.’

I lay back on the verandah, and

I fell in a tranceful stare,

I looked on out to the evergreens

And knew I could see him there,

He carried a stick and danced about

Then bowed with a sweep of his hat,

‘He’s dancing upon my grave,’ I said,

‘Now what do you think of that?’

Darleen came back with a feathered bird

And she danced and swung it round,

Filling the air with feathers as she

Dashed the bird on the ground,

‘Get back to the grave you came from,’

Marceline screeched out to the wood,

And Doctor Bones responded with moans

Then sank to his knees in mud.

They said that they broke my fever as

The bird had screeched at the last,

They wiped its blood all over my face

Where it seemed to set, like a cast,

I rose up out of my torpor and

Saw Darleen clutching the cat,

While I was stood by the mirror, and

Was wearing his tails and hat!

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Jane Winters Rogers]

This is my response to the trashy rigrogs ( throw'in that work back in your stupid face )
What hate must fill your heart and soul! You sick sick individual. God forbid you are a poet.
You need love and forgiveness for attacking Mr. Padget....you are dark and evil....

[David Lewis Paget]

I've deleted his trashy post, Jane. Thanks for coming to my rescue.

[Jane Winters Rogers]

You are welcome.

[Celie Rose]

I always enjoy your poems. I find myself anticipating the spooky twists and turns, the suspense and at times even fear and shock. The imagery is fantastic. Really get's me thinking, especially when. i'm alone. "While I was stood by the mirror, and Was wearing his tails and hat! Well written and expressed.Your writing is awesome.

[A Soap Mess Stories]

Always a joy to read your work. . .well written. . .

[ANTO]

Saint Saens, "Danse Macabre" was surely playing while he did his jig on the graves David.
A lesson that not all things can be found in the science and medical books. ;)

[Coyote Poetry]

A wild tale my friend.
‘He’s dancing upon my grave,’ I said,
‘Now what do you think of that?’
Dancing on graves and waking up wearing tails and hat. Always leave the reader with a good tale to remember. Thank you for sharing the excellent poem my friend.
Coyote

[David Scott]

I picture the New Orleans black magic here. Voodoo in the air. Ha.
A great tale to be sure and one a person could feel made into a lilting song of foreboding.
I do like what you are doing with the condensed versions of your poetic form. I also enjoy the more elaborate poetry you create.
Great work as usual David!

[R Smith]

nice piece of black magic David, burn the hat and tails I'd say, a good one for a shiver my friend.......seems you have some strange comment below, critics huh' they never make sense lol