Will O’ The Wisp
(The Corpse Light Of The Dead)
written by: David Haven
‘tis but a gas.
A phosphorus mist
that’s rising o’er the bog –
that glow from rotting vegetation
by yon’ hollow log.
A natural phe-nom-enon
to give this light a name.
A chemical reaction
that science can explain.
But see, that mist doth wisp and swirl
then fade into the night
and reappear yet farther still
to lead us with its light.
It seems to beckon us to follow
deeper in the bog
amidst the chirping crickets
and the croaking of the frogs.
Look! There up ahead!
More lights they do appear!
But a gathering fog doth mystify
the path that leads from here.
Dare we follow anymore?
Whither shall we flee?
These flickering, ghostly lights ahead
are all that we can see!
Harken now!
Amidst the crickets
and the croaking frogs –
voices, grim, are rising up
from un-der-neath the bog.
They speak of our impending doom
they fill my heart with dread!
No science can explain
The Corpse Light Of The Dead!
Discordant melodies, I hear.
Upon the wind, they soar.
Across the river “Death” they come
and from that haunted shore where
twilight is the sun
and midnight is the sky
and darkness is the moon below
where all the corpses lie!
These lights are surly those who’ve died
They bid us now to come to
the place below
where darkness grows
where never shines the sun.
And to that haunted shore
across the chilly river “Death”
my spirit then will join them
when I draw my final breath.
Now travelers -lost
may find sometime they’ve strayed from lighted ways
and wandered to a dismal place at closing of the day.
When night winds blow through
swamp or marsh or forest dark and drear
I wave my fatal lantern light
to draw them…ever…ever near!
To draw them ever closer
to guide them on ahead
To lead them where there ever glows
The Corpse Lights Of The Dead!
- Will O’ The Wisp - November 1, 2025
- Tonight on Halloween - October 31, 2024
- Samhain From The Corner of My Eye - October 27, 2023
