The Devil's Mill

Down at the end of Kilmartin Street
Where nobody seems to go,
A widow lives in an ancient mill
Where the river will overflow,
The mill race turns the mighty wheel
Though it grinds no wheat or corn,
It’s not been used as a working mill
Since before we both were born.

And the widow there is a mystery,
For we don’t know where she’s been,
She doesn’t give out her history
Though we know her name’s Christine,
She’s rarely seen in the street outside
But the gown she wears is black,
And those that visit and go inside
Are rarely seen to come back.

And I’ve watched myself, that paddle wheel,
It seems to go in reverse,
Whenever she has a visitor there
It’s as if the mill is cursed,
For then the water flows uphill
It’s against all laws, I know,
Whoever heard of the water going
Back to the overflow?

There’s a warning sign on the portico
And a warning sign within,
‘Don’t think to enter the Devil’s Mill
If your life is filled with sin,
For it may get rid of the things you want
And delete the good things too,
You may uncover a life within,
But of course, that’s up to you.’

I went one day to the portico
And beat on the old front door,
Then heard her footsteps begin to echo
Across the flagstone floor,
The door flung wide and she stood aside
And I walked into the mill,
But heard the grind of the wheel rewind
Outside, I can hear it still.

I felt my head beginning to spin
As I traveled back in time,
Undoing every single action
That once I’d thought were mine,
Then once outside, I stood and cried
For my world was not the same,
I’d lost my only love, my bride
And forgotten our baby’s name.

I thought I’d possibly get them back
If I went again to the mill,
And stood just cautiously inside
While the wheel went forward still,
But the widow blocked the door to me
And she said, ‘Don’t come again,
You only get but a single chance
Or the end result is pain.’

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Helena]

The "Devil's Mill".....a chilling poem that is a pleasure to read. Nobody does it better! Top marks again!

[TPK Stories]

Another excellent story, David. Loved it.

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing tale written my friend.
I felt my head beginning to spin
"As I traveled back in time,
Undoing every single action
That once I’d thought were mine,
Then once outside, I stood and cried
For my world was not the same,
I’d lost my only love, my bride
And forgotten our baby’s name."
The above lines. Took me to hard and sad memories. Thank you for sharing the amazing poem.
Coyote

[emmajoy]

As always has been, your meter is brilliant, the contents fascinating in this or that way, plus, crass though it might seem (though not intended) you always give a good penny's worth. So many facets to your work inevitably mean a second, third.. or more read.

Creepy this, but, a lesson learned at its finish, David!

[Valentine]

Oh to just be able to spin backwards in time and be able to start all over again. Think we all would make the same mistakes????? Perhaps. Nice write Mate. Valentine

[Tony Jordan]

One bite at the cherry - sure enough.
I loved the imagery - the thought of the wheel spinning time back was truly inspired DLP - it's a fantastic tale.
DLP at the top of his game!