The Devil's Surgeon

Another 'creepy poem' from Ian Jackson 15.3.19

The Devil's Surgeon

1. A very long time ago, I travelled far and wide,

And gathered many stories, so here's one I'll reprise,

It tells the tale of a man I met, who far away did tread, 

Over campfire he did tell it, and this is what he said.

2. He'd been hiking in the jungle, with some life-long pals, 

That had joined him on many trips, to the most remote locales,

But after this specific journey, they chose to part their ways, 

Leaving sole traveller, to a single movement phase. 

3. Now this guys ambition, was to meet a remote tribe, 

Who's location was kept secret, and very hard to describe,

But he found out where he had to go, where he would be bound,

So he'd set out on a painted bus, and got to distant town. 

4. He must have found it difficult, local tongue he did not speak,

But somehow heard the way to go, to the people he did seek, 

There was no public transport, so he'd have to walk a road, 

For many miles into the jungle, then off the path he's told. 

5. That next day he set off, bright and rather cheery, 

But soon the heat told on him, and within hours he was weary,

So he'd sat down by side of road, on that fertile ground, 

When from far away he saw a car, and his way it was bound. 

6. Quickly grabbing up his things, he hoped they're Anglophile,

Thinking if they'd pick him up, it could save him many miles,

And lo, the vehicle slowed right down, an old 50's Cadillac, 

Not in the best condition, but room for his backpack. 

7. The passenger door did open, and in my friend did get, 

An older man was driving, who seemed no real threat, 

And there was another younger guy, asleep in the back seat, 

His head upon a towel, and shoes were off his feet. 

8. After pleasentaries exchanged, my friend told his travel plan, 

The old man said he'd take him there, or too as near as he can,

And as the journey it continued, and morning passed to noon,

The guy in back would snore and murmer, but he wasn't waking soon.

9. The road was really terrible, in places filthy mire, 

A very bumpy journey, on those old creaking tires, 

So in time they had together, they chatted constantly,

And the old man had told him, of his work at surgery. 

10. As he was a skilled Doctor, with many re-stored patients,

He seemed well educated, his English, excellence,

And it was still so very hot, the old man offered liquid, 

In shape of bottled coke, with whiskey it was blended. 

11. After another hour or so, it's still some way to go, 

The old man offers food, at his lovely old Chateau,

As the other guys still dreaming, he decided he was hungry,

And snapped the offer up, as he'd started feeling whoozy.

12. He slept for a little time, and when his eyes did open, 

They where at a grand old house, he really wasn't jokin', 

It was quite the edifice, with pillars at the front, 

Though one thing detracts from it, the windows were all shut.

13. Not just shut infact, but on the lower floor,

They are all boarded up, leaving only single door,

And when he'd asked the Man, to establish all the facts,

He'd said it's due to local laws, to avoid a window-tax. 

14. They finally woke the passenger, who'd slept for this long journey,

And got him on his feet, though his mind was clearly blurry,

So they were led inside, to a large room at the rear,

The Old Man left them there, but gave them both a beer.

15. He said he'd be right back, but had some things to do, 

The room was nice enough, but with decorations few, 

But those windows were all boarded up, couldn't see night outside,

So he tried to talk to the other guy, and here's how he replied:

16. Hello Hello I can't see well, and I'm feeling rather sick, 

I'm not sure what has happened, but I fear it's all a trick, 

Did you drink from that flask, the taste of coke & whiskey?

Then we need to do something, as this is very risky.

17. And with that he passed out again, and slipped down off his chair, 

Was this guy serious? He'd just met him, though to be fair,

The guy did seem convincing, so my friend looked around, 

And though he saw nothing, he heard a frightful sound.  

18. As from out the back, there came the noise of digging,

Accompanied by whispers, of some demented singing, 

My friend sought a way to look upon, actions going on outside, 

He found a space between two boards, not knowing what would betide.

19. For he could see through the gap, On a scene most de-praved, 

Huge man in blood soaked butchers gown, digging two small graves,

Things quickly added up, like why they both felt weird, 

Having both drunk from that bottle, some poison he now feared. 

20. And that was when the Old Man came back, dressed in surgeon's gown, 

And he saw my friend knew what was up, so he said this with a frown, 

"I'm afraid you've got to stay, you're not going elsewhere,

I need your kidneys and your lungs, then we'll bury you out there".

21. In his hand a small scalpal, That glinted in the light, 

And what my friend chose to do, you may think it isn't right, 

Was run straight past him, through that open door, 

leaving the other guy, as he lay there on the floor.

22. He made it out and ran non-stop, until the break of dawn,

Through the jungle, making own path, his clothing all a-torn, 

Until finally he felt safe, when he got too a small town, 

And he knew his journey over, his plan was homeward bound. 

23.  This chilling tale came to an end, over that open-fire,

And I could tell this was true, could see his hearts desire,

That he wished he didn't carry, the guilt that was his burden,

Leaving that poor other soul, to the knife of The Devil's Surgeon.