Jersey Devil

 
in the remote
pine barrens
of southern new jersey
 
a strange
uncomfortable place
where one can easily become lost
 
among pine forests
and deep soggy bogs
there are stories
 
stories that make one shiver
that keep children
awake at night
 
stories of
a strange
creature
 
a flying biped
kangaroo-like
creature
 
goat like horned head
leathery bat-like wings
small arms
 
clawed hands
legs with cloven hooves
forked tail
 
it moves quickly
emitting high-pitched  
blood-curdling screams
 
unlike the vampire
elves faeries and gnomes
whose origins are lost in time
 
history of
the this monster
is clearly recalled
 
Mrs. Jane Leeds
had twelve healthy children
to help on the homestead
 
on a stormy night in 1735
surrounded by
family friends and midwives
 
Mrs. Leeds delivered
her thirteenth child
cute tow-haired lad pink and healthy
 
thirteen
the
unlucky number
 
as the newborn
suckled
at mothers breast
 
clear blue eyes
changed to black
like coal
 
angelic
cherub
transformed
 
feet into hooves
leathery bat like wings
from his back
 
chubby little face
morphed
to the face of a goat
 
poor infants cries
became horrible
howls and growls
 
wild flight around the room
everyone beaten mercilessly
by forked tali
 
finally
escaping
up the chimney
 
some say
Jane Leeds was a witch
her husband the devil
 
some say pastors
tried to exorcise
the creature
 
one thing is certain
 
if you are camping  
in the pine barrens and you hear
screams in the night
 
you should probably sing a lullaby
for Mrs. Leeds”
unlucky thirteenth child
 
the jersey devil
 
© 2020 Raibeart Bruis