Cockroach Castle

There’s a scurrying sound of something, burrowing,

Down in the depths of the dungeons, hurrying,

Skittering, pittering-pattering, scattering

When there’s a footstep, hear them chattering:

‘Here come the lords, and here comes the vassal,

Tripping their way through Cockroach Castle.’

 

Here come the ladies, all in their finery

Tripping and sipping the wine from the winery,

Trailing their silks, their satins and bustling,

Up in the ballroom, while the rustling

Army beneath the sounds of their razzle

Is down in the depths of Cockroach Castle.

 

Spilling their millions up in the glooming

Out from the flagstones, terror is looming,

Up on the awnings, hung from the ceiling

Under the swish of the skirts they’re stealing,

Dropping in hair, and burrowing faster,

Cockroach Castle is set for disaster.

 

Suddenly all of the room is screaming

Flapping of hands, the roaches are teeming,

Myriad hordes in the Carbonara,

Candles are tipped from the candelabra,

Choking smoke from the candles guttered,

Flames leap up from the ones that stuttered.

 

Clothing and flags and the awnings razing

Silks and satins flare up, and blazing,

Roaches in eyes and ears, they’re rasping

Clogging their throats, to leave them gasping,

There isn’t a lady or lord, or vassal

To come out alive from Cockroach Castle!

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Delmar Cooper]

"And what do you deduce from this poem, Holmes?"
"Elementary my dear Watson, this poet reads a great deal. We have a scholar poet loose in Australia."

Loved the poem in every element, but most loved and most enjoyed the rthymn. Memories of "Congo" appeared. Thanks.

[TL Boehm]

you know, I think cockroaches are truly terrifying and this poem proves it.

[Woody]

a pure delight. the topic, the rhyme, the pace. a beautiful write.

[Ravyne Hawke]

*laughs* even though I detest cockroaches more than anything upon this earth, this narrative had me chuckling the whole way through! Where do you come up with the ideas for these poems? Delightful read, as always.

[Tina Louise UK]

Brilliant imagery....really enjoyed :) x

[Baby Ricochet]

Hey when were you at my house?

[Brittany Zedalis]

I always enjoy reading your poetry. Yet another fine piece! Wonderfully penned!

[TPK Stories]

I loved the flow of this...almost in a sing-song manner...brilliant...

[BlackRose]

I LOVE it. Brilliant words in this write my friend. Gave me a bit of a chuckle too. I felt it reading on through, just glad it's not real life. I have dealt with enough in my time. And not quite easy to get rid of them, bleh.

[Avinash]

Makes a very engaging read. Things which often miss our attention may carry a great story inside them; all it needs is a great story teller to make us aware of.