Three Poems by Ursula O'Reilly

 

VISITORS

 

What is that tap-tapping

Upon my windowpane?

A goblin seeking shelter,

Or the music of the rain?

 

What is that noise creeping,

Creaking on my stairs?

Could it be the gnome I saw

By the bathroom door?

 

Is that the wind shrieking,

Whistling in the hearth?

Or is it an ancient banshee,

Outside in the dark?

 

They say this house is haunted,

I tell them it’s just mice.

Elves or gnomes, or

Perhaps their impish kin?

 

I never shall be lonely,

In this house of mine.

With enigmatic visitors,

Who call from time to time. 

 

 

BEWARE THE HOBGOBLIN

 

Fairies? Not tangible things, just myths

Told beside a red fire on winter nights.

Brief entertainment for restless offspring,

Gifting a childish imagination escape.

Hobgoblins? Friend, they are different.

Living in realms where no mortal treads.

I entreat you, take care as you wander.

Beware the hobgoblin under the bridge.

 

Under the bridge where no person goes,

Amongst the shadows, by the dark river.

He watches the owl hunt in the night sky,

Lives on the glinting fish in the water.

Plays when the moon lights the dim world,

But doesn’t approve of humans at all.

I entreat you, take care when you wander.

Beware the hobgoblin under the bridge. 

 

 

IN THE SPELLBOUND WOOD

Take care where your footsteps lead, in the Spellbound Wood, where the light is dim. Do not venture there in darkness, do not approach the Fairy Ring. A circular space, verdant, resplendent; different from the surrounding woods. Grass grows greener, trees taller; leaves just sparkle, quite a sight! Even though you may feel tempted, do not enter this ethereal place. In this world of peculiar things, we cannot always comprehend. Not every spectacle is ours to witness, not every spell is ours to break. If you see this realm, take delight. A sweet foretoken of good luck. But take sound advice, pass on.  Do not disturb the Ring.

Ursula O’Reilly lives in County Cavan, Ireland, and enjoys writing poetry and fiction. Her other interests include painting, drama  and reading.  Ursula has had her work published online and in numerous magazines including ‘Poetry Plus magazine’, ‘Young Ravens Literary Review’, ‘Otherwise Engaged Literature and Arts Journal’, ‘Woman’s Way magazine’, ‘Vita Brevis Poetry Press’, and by ‘Earlyworks Press’