The Poet's Perspective

The Old King's Ghosts

Poetry and Photos for October

By Jonathan Mayo

Welcome to The Poet's Perspective. I have always been fond on October, Libra as I am.

Today I'll be sharing a new poem for Halloween on Cape Cod, some other recent work and photos from Osterville to Brewster.

Enjoy!

The Old King’s Ghosts

Now we’ve all heard the tale of old Ichabod Crane.

But what say you of local hauntings with lesser claims to fame?

They come this time of year, when the leaves turn yellow and red.

A grisly procession of clicking bones, the sinewy corps of the dead-

They prefer the Old King’s Highway, 6A as it’s known today.

Where with darkness dwells an evil so hellish, you’ll swear you can smell the decay.

The cemeteries sit high on the north side, although…

Its occupants repose in sodden holes, clammy, cold and low.

What tragic lives they led, mere mortals may ne’er see.

But these addled ghosts at their lookout posts keep eyes out for you and me.

On Cobb’s Hill in the village the bony skeletons walk.

With no tongues inside their bright white skulls, they all are loath to talk.

So instead they moan dryly, and haunt the villagers so.

So beware O’ children on all Hallow’s Eve, be careful where you go.

In the marshes dwell the ghosts of many shipwrecked souls.

Who relive their final moments as the mighty ocean rolls-

Go not therefore beachside on All Hallow’s Eve.

Lest ye catch sights so frightful, your eyes refuse belief.

At Scargo Hill, the dastardly demons know the drill.

From tower-top they belly-flop, explode and scream so shrill.

In Sesuit Harbor, a ghostly floater bobs and dips at the whims of the tides,

His grey self bloated, and features exploded, in the pickling only fine brine provides.

In the bonny flats of Brewster dwells a clammer who one day was stuck.

Drowned by the tide, with his bucket beside, Do hide! He now runs amuck!

So Beware O’ Children, of the Old King’s Ghosts-

Who patrol the coast in search of new hosts-

Be wary of what you see and believe.

Keep your guard on this All Hallow’s Eve!

                                               The Detective of Joy

To seek joy oft seems a detective’s task.

Trenchcoats collared high to cut the wind.

When the seeker learned long past not to ask-

It’s an ancient art to know how to begin.

Slinking forward to peer ‘round crumbling corners-

Looking into the eye of the sky and the tides-

Joy’s detective begs questions at the borders.

To know the inner peace such joy provides.

But the detective’s task is never done.

Across hills and dales elusive joys run-

To chase such culprits yields a thrill few will know.

The emptiness of failure, most would sooner forego.

But the detective isn’t in it for bling-

As the birds need no gold to coyly sing-

 Faithful Maidens

She awakes to the stillness of the waters at dawn.

Slippers on, then shoreward her feet are drawn.

She glimpses the horizon in hopes of a return.

Half a hemisphere away, he tends his powder burns.

Morning greeted by the smoke of ordnance.

Browning street-blood, teeth-clenching vigilance-

She reflects on the sweetness of the letters he’d send.

He spits sand and questions if he’ll ever feel again.

The story is repeated in boroughs near and far.

Faithful maidens cry, seeking answers from the stars.

All text and photos Copyright 2009 Jonathan Mayo

From Top-

1.Yarmouth

2.Nickerson State Park, Brewster

3&4. Micah's Pond, Osterville

5.Nickerson State Park, Brewster

6. Grasshopper- Nickerson State Park, Brewster

7.Beech Leaf Island-Centerville

8&9.Nickerson State Park, Brewster

     I am accepting new work  for winter garden preparation, bulb planting and fall cleanups. Contact me for details.

Here you see what a little love can do-deep seeding+careful maintenance= perfect grass.