Unable to sleep and coming off drink,

It t’was the witching hour and not the month of flowers,

I came to in my childhood bed with a black cat perched on the windowsill,

She curled around my neck and lay there purring,

Soft fur on skin while I was stirring,

I then turned to an enchanting creature who certainly had familiar features:

Red lips, pale skin, flowing hair and speaking as Gaeilge,

I beckoned her to sit closer if she did so wish,

For her to dismiss the idea and blow me a kiss,

I was soon back where I tried to sleep and far from home I started to weep,

The cat crept off back arched and tail held tall,

I whispered, “could this possibly be real”,

and it replied ‘of course’, in a scratchy tone laden with zeal,

And in shock I turned to face a different breed who began to take a forceful lead:

Black hair, elongated face, body thin and witches chin,

Now falling into a wayward trance I resigned myself to her awkward advance,

And soon not caring I asked for more such was my mind at the unfortunate time,

But it soon became apparent that this was wrong and no ordinary woman or love song,

But in fact some inordinate ‘thing’ with a fierce and poisonous sting,

So now realizing the demonic presence I mustered all my strength to pray for penance,

And after an Our Father and a few Hail Mary’s this had to be the work of venegeful Fairies,

But then she retreated out to the hall and into the spare room worst of all,

So unaware of the imminent danger I rose to investigate the seductive stranger,

And with great hesitation I opened the door to see a baby’s cot rocking on the floor,

And there she stood shapeless in form cradling in her arms our own new born,

I screamed and threatened to get the local priest and now suicidal I turned and fled the unruly beast,

But the neighbor tending to the garden below could not hear my screams or woeful pleas as the drone of the motor trimmed the trees,

Then she rushed and pushed to end my life and standing there was my future wife,

But Alas no fool ever was I falling not for such evil lies,

Then coming back to my very senses I knew the horror had at last relented,

And that could have been no true lover but in fact some insidious cover,

 

So when all was finally said and done Kafka would have shuddered,

At what I had finally discovered,

And of the sudden change in me,

This metamorphosis,

Of sorts.

~ Gamhain MacCionaoith

Na Cealla Beaga

Mí Aibrean 2025