.
.
.
==============================================
Ravenswolde    1994
==============================================
.
Naked branches scrape the clouds
The dark, tenebrous sky looks down
On rutted fields, bedraggled copse
The ragged crowmen damply frown
The rivulets of muddy rain
Flow purling, down the furrowed way
And on I tread, up chalky river
Head bowed low from chilling day
.
Then, at lonely crossroads meet
Where hanging cage reveals the bones
Of careless traveller, staring with
The grin of death, the windy moans
I rest awhile by friendly stone
He shelters me from shameless rain
I eat a meal, give thanks to it
Then shoulder bent, I start again
.
With rain no sign of letting up
I top a mound and rest a while
Through sweeping sheets of cruel rain
I make out towers, dark and vile
With gritted teeth I quick my pace
The road grows firmer underfoot
Until a drawbridge I do meet
Accursed place of ill-repute
.
Dark and leaning walls rise up
The vile birds, the gargoyles rest
The bridge comes down with violent scream
And Ravenswolde salutes its guest
I stride into the covered square
And fear, it strikes me in my breast
For I discerned in ill-lit keep
The evil magus, harem-nest
.
But I fear not, or not for long
My quest is over, nearly done
I take the sacred implements
And hold then high, and I begin
The magick words which I know well
The magus leaps from murky place
I feel his power strike at me
His snarling, evil, writhing face
.
But soon I feel his power give
His evil ways cannot withstand
The magick which was granted me
Through crystal ring and golden band
And then I feel his power slip
He screams a scream which chills me cold
The clashing powers then are one
And Ravenswolde restored to old
.
==============================================
(c) 1994 James McGowan  - all rights reserved
==============================================
.
<fin>