Curling Horns

He lived in the outer darkness where

You never could see him cry,

With only a lighted candle there

Whenever his eyes were dry,

But I knew him for an evil soul

A troll that waited for you,

To cast me off like a heap of dross

Which is what he’d want you to do.

So you only saw a handsome prince

A hero there in the light,

You told me about the good things that

Your friend had done in your sight,

But you couldn’t see the curling horns

That sprouted out of his head,

Nor even the narrow, squinting eyes

Glowing at night, bright red.

Your image of him was of a lord

Born of a line so high,

While I knew him as a Beelzebub

Who flew in the evening sky.

He often fluttered above my yard

Flinging his barbs at me,

They cut and wounded and hit me hard

With never you there to see.

I felt you slipping away from me

When I saw you huddled with him,

Whispering secret messages

In the hall of the local gym,

I knew that I’d have to take him out

Or risk the loss of your love,

So fashioned a wooden arrow for

One night, when he flew above.

I thought that I’d planned it perfectly

The crossbow hidden outside,

He fluttered over the garden wall

Looking for you, my bride,

I shot him straight through the heart with it,

His chest exploded in light,

I saw, on you, when you bent to him

Your curling horns in the night.

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

A interesting tale my friend. I was surprised by the ending. The crossbow did fix the problem. Thank you David for sharing your amazing tales.
Coyote

[D Connolly]

Funny how she couldn't see the horns in such an evil dude. But then again, you didn't notice her horns either... As usual, I enjoyed your story so much
Dani

[Venusfly73]

This is great.
I especially love how the local gym seems like a magical place when you spin it into this fantasy.

[Tony Jordan]

Pure thrills and (gut) spills here David.
Truly did not expect the finale - not at all.

*** spolier alert ***
Bet she killed the hubby in a rage with those horns though.
Classic DLP.

[Nautili]

Really nice twist ( of the curling horns). I enjoyed this .

[TPK Stories]

Another good one David......

[Valentine]

I did not expect this clever of an ending. Well written, you really drew me in,,, to this gem.. Valentine