THE BANSHEE OF THE MARSH

The stench of death rides the wind across the boggy shore

An eerie glow floats above the water

Dancing lights flicker about before fading into darkness                          

The sound of fluttering wings from silhouettes reverberate through the trees like witches on broomsticks

Dark figures cower behind vegetated debris, standing behind old rotten stumps like poised scarecrows   

Faint reflections of yellow eyes transfixed into the sky 

Emanate from beasts accompanying their shadowy masters 

Rays of fiery light begin to envelope the dark cove              

Echoes of unseen creatures move about

Scores of black outlines

Bodies atop the grey water bobble up and down like corpses        

One figure stands alone above the others, hovering perpetually

Such trickery lures its victims into the watery gallows            

Screams of “oo-eek, oo-eek” pierce the air                   

She is calling

Shadowy frames stir against the trees                                  

A dense cloud of fog, born from nowhere rolls in only to disappear as quickly as it entered        

Another shriek from the apparition calling to her mate

“Oo-eek” 

Wisps of wings from approaching specters cause excitement                        

Explosions of fire emit from nowhere             

Lifeless bodies fall into the murky water

The hounds are released and return

Colorful relics bring delight

Their iridescent feathers accentuated by the morning light 

Vivid color combinations are a welcome sight

“Oo-eek”        

The sound causes chills as the visitors return to being statues along the bank     

Suddenly, a lone figure is seen skimming across the water 

Taking flight at the hint of danger lurking

A single metal tube rises

A low voice murmurs,

“She will have safe passage, 

for she is The Banshee of the Marsh.”      

“Oo-eek”