Month: October 2022

In front of me she did roam 
Slowly but I was not surprised 
Her dress a bridal one
Almost taking her balance 

Chestnut hair flowing in the night 
Windless though it was 
Something not quite right 
Her face too veiled for evening 

Sweet words carried on the wind
A bell clanged dull and dank
Terror now my belly did find
And of a sudden I realised 

There were no feet striking ground 
A floating woman was what I now saw
My eyes drawn to feet turned round 
Toes point to me and blood went cold 

My evening jaunt did wait that night
For she was sucking in the light 
Drinking souls if she could catch 
My door was barred lock and latch.


©Ailsa Cawley 2022 
Written for Folktober hosted by Paul Dragonwolf 

I stand here awaiting you 
Walk towards me slowly until 
You can see me unhidden against 
The trees that shelter my form. 

I’m here in plain sight daily 
But do you listen? 
As the Bodach awaits you 
Do you think I cannot see? 


What do you expect as I encompass 
Your being, first left, now right 
Lifting your face to mine
Your body shaking in fear of a fate
But it cannot tear itself away from me 


My eyes see into you through you 
shiver at the Bodach’s understanding 
Wish that you were not called here 
This day, time, hour into the forest

Day has turned to night 
Seconds into hours and you will 
Yourself to leave and yet
Until the Bodach says aye ye go

You are here at the Bodach’s Will
Never after this can you jest 
At the power he holds as you did once
You shall smile weakly knowing 

The Bodach shall bring to him 
All and any he wants 
Those woods become his army 
You are less than an ant under him
You no longer doubt his power. 


©Ailsa Cawley 2022
Written for Folktober Challenge