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SPIRIT
Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745
California Desert

0 posted 2003-04-21 11:42 PM


The Woodsman

Did I scare you? I live in this forest,
I’m dead you know, stone cold bloody dead.
For two hundred years or more, I think.
Don’t look at me like that,
I know I’m dead, I am not a lost soul,
I‘m not here to scare anybody,
I love it here, and I’m happy here.
See! I have a job still, I’m an overseer,
Living in the forest, and protecting it.
The Good Father for sure
Has been generous with me.

I killed a young man, a lad really,
He wasn’t more than fifteen,
The Squire’s youngest son,
His favorite to boot.
For life or death of me ‘tis mystery
How it came about.
Of course they hung me for it,
Hung me from that large oak tree,
Carved my initials and the date
On the trunk, they did., see ...JB 1801,
I was the twenty first name
Carved on that hanging tree.
There are now seventy-nine names.
Hanging fools these villagers.

I lived in the forest all my grown life,
A woodcutter, and I was really the best.
Kept the villages in wood
Whilst protecting the integrity
Of the trees in the forest.
Everybody knew me...Jeremiah Burns,
My cabin was always open to those in need,
A friend to everyone - that was me.

The incident that caused the fatal event,
Happened on a regular basis,
Seemed like every time the moon was full
There would be most horrendous noises
Throughout the normally peaceful forest.
Indescribable inhuman noises
Frightening, made me fearful,
And unlike any animal noise, I was familiar with.
Why! It terrified me, I hate to admit it but it did,
Had been going on forever or so it seemed,
Always like I said, when the moon was full.

Enough was enough, I would be prepared
For the coming of the next full moon.
I made a cage, so sturdy, with an open bottom,
From the strongest woods I could find.
I hung it ’out of sight’ high in a tree,
I then placed a dead rabbit
On the ground below the cage.
If whatever or whoever it was
Went for the bait, would trigger the trap
Then the cage would fall and capture
That which had stepped beneath.

I heard the crash and the awful howling,
And knew I had caught my prey,
So I took my bow and arrow
To see that which I had captured.
Inside the cage angry and mean
Was the strangest creature
I had ever laid my eyes upon.
It looked like a wolf,
A very large headed wolf,
Yet it stood like a human,
It had arms and legs, so it seemed to me.
Flashing eyes, dangerous teeth...fangs
Drawling, despicable, unbelievably ugly.

He was  way beyond strong,
Soon I knew the cage would be no more.
Then once free this creature, most certainly
Would come looking for me, I was scared
So I shot an arrow into its heart,
And watched it as it swiftly died.
I was the victor and I felt good,
The danger had been averted,
What a hero I would be when my tale was told.

I went back to my cabin
And slept, slept very well indeed,
When I was awakened by the horn
That sounded in emergencies.
A village girl came to my door,
Told me the Squire’s favorite son
Was missing - kidnapped was thought,
Would I lead them through the woods?
I did and we had to go past my cage.
I was aghast, horrified, beyond frightened,
For in the bottom of the cage
Lay the squire’s son,
With my arrow through his heart.

They wasted no time
In hanging me from the old oak,
Never got to have breakfast even,
I just wasn’t around for it.
They buried me, unceremoniously
In an unmarked grave,
And none of my kin
Who lived many villages away,
Ever knew what happened to me.

I went before my time, my work,
Looking after the forest trees
Was not done.
So I took the position
To walk the forest in Spirit.
I am the protector, of these trees.
I apologize for scaring you, not my intent,
Make sure your camp fires are put out
And keep my precious forest ...safe.

[This message has been edited by SPIRIT (04-22-2003 11:28 AM).]

© Copyright 2003 das - All Rights Reserved
Joyce Johnson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
1 posted 2003-04-22 02:10 AM


An intriguing story, Spirit.  Your imagination is in good form.  Joyce
SPIRIT
Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745
California Desert
2 posted 2003-04-22 04:12 PM


Thanks Joyce, I was a little bored yesterday afternoon and so this is what I came up with to keep me going.  
Joyce Johnson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
3 posted 2003-04-22 05:08 PM


On second reading it's even better.  I don't write scary or werewolf stories, but I like to read them.  Joyce

[This message has been edited by Joyce Johnson (04-22-2003 05:09 PM).]

Trillium
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
4 posted 2003-04-23 12:24 PM


SPIRIT:  Intriguing story and very well written.  Even when you're bored you produce exceptional work!

Betty Lou Hebert

lorenlynn
Member
since 2003-01-27
Posts 203
California Beaches
5 posted 2003-04-29 11:26 PM


I enjoyed this!
midnightblues
Senior Member
since 2000-07-01
Posts 1597
Singapore
6 posted 2003-04-30 07:09 AM


This is great! I really enjoyed your tale

Love
Michelle

If there cannot be equal in affection, then let the one with more be me - midnightblues™

junemac
Senior Member
since 2003-04-24
Posts 1005
uk
7 posted 2003-05-29 06:13 PM


i just found this way back and had to let you know i thought it was excellent. what great story telling skills.i really enjoyed the way it was told.

great stuff !!!
hugs from june x

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
8 posted 2003-05-30 05:02 AM


great story here! loved the read!
Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
9 posted 2003-05-31 09:53 AM


Spirit~
This is just WONDERFUL !
I'd like to thank June for bringing it forward~

A beautiful, beautiful read~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

SPIRIT
Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745
California Desert
10 posted 2003-06-03 09:55 AM


Thanks for reading and responding
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