~ By Courtesy of Others ~
Ghost Story
It is the northern night,
the dark night of the North;
the sky is woven from ravens' wings
and the wind flaps at the windows.
Hearthlight flickers and creeps
and I see a ghost coming.
For a thousand years and more
he slept in root and stone,
banished, cursed, a stake through his heart,
silent and still, like wintering sap,
until, when tides of time had turned,
the land gave him birth again.
I see his one eye glittering
through the shivering panes;
I feel his approaching footsteps
and the stink of wolves' breath.
no use now, the rusted charms
set once above the door;
no use now, the dull tongues
groping for forgotten prayers.
I hear his heavy knock
and his old, familiar voice:
"I'm back again -
your Master, before and after Christ."
© Jeremy Hirst
Image: "Allvater", Ludwig
Fahrenkrog, German writer, playwright and artist.
In: "Das goldene Tor" (The Golden Gate)
Back to : [ by Theme ] [ by Author ] [ by Title ]
