The Grindylow

The brook at the end of the garden

Would gurgle and gush through the weeds,

Would ripple and plash in the morning sun

Like a spirit with spiritual needs,

I’d play as a child with my paper boats

As they twisted and twirled on the stream,

Not knowing the danger my sister faced

As she paddled barefoot in a dream.

For under the water and in the weeds

Was the face of a Grindylow,

He’d stare long up at my sister’s legs

From his weedbed, down below,

I should have known and I should have warned

If I’d known he lay down there,

Ruling the brook from his silver throne

But I didn’t, I declare.

I didn’t then, till I saw one day

His face in the willow shade,

Reflected up on the water course

Like a shadow God had made,

He wore a sinister smile that turned

The edge of his mouth to scorn,

And eyes that pierced as Deirdre passed

Her legs quite bare at the dawn.

I said, ‘You walked by the river god

And he stared right up your skirt,’

But Deirdre frowned, stared at the ground

I thought that she must feel hurt.

She kept on paddling in the brook

Walked out by the willow tree,

And two long arms then pulled her down

Rose out of the brook, by me.

I hadn’t the time to scream or cry

Her hair went into the brook,

Quick as a wink, she made no sound

I dashed to the tree to look,

And though the water was inches deep

Its depth had taken the girl,

Down through the weeds where the Dryads weep

With the water starting to whirl.

The brook still bubbles and gurgles there

Will ripple and plash in the weeds,

But I won’t go where I know below

My sister lies in the reeds,

She must have married the Grindylow

For she never came back to see,

If I was there in the morning air,

If anything happened to me.

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[TPK Stories]

Loved the story. Well written.

[Ted Kniffen]

Very well done. A bit of horror in a lovely pattern. Good rhyming and meter. A good write.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

The perfection of horror and beauty, you are trying to capture my heart, and it's working! well done, good read.

[Valentine]

This would make a gory short story for the kids around here. They are all reading books with characters like this one. Good scary write. Valentine

[Avinash]

A story which retains beauty and horror in equal measure. Quite reminiscent of life. Your stories unfold like fairytale and hit hard in the gut like reality. I have been away on a drama project, so I must apologize for not being regular to your poems. But my love for your work remains the same.

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing tale my friend. I like your tales of nature and life. Always leave me wishing to know and read more. The Grindylow. Did he find peace? Thank you David for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote