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.

[softlyfall]

Whoa, this is visceral in detail, all so foreign and strange but fascinating...compelling even.
Wow.

[richieb]

David, Very good imagery, Dr. Bones must be a close relative to the Grim Reaper. I am too awkward to dance, let alone on someone's grave. Thank you for another fine poem, Good Sir. Richie

[roarke]

Yikes!... heh. Voodoo house calls... hmmm, wonder if that's in the medicare coverage plan...hahahahaa. Entertainment with feathers. I liked.

[Valentine]

Nothing like taking on the appearance of old ghosts we want to be rid of. Valentine

[M.Babu]

Excellent imagination, as always!
~M.Babu~