Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Graveyard Rabbit

The Graveyard Rabbit 
by
Frank Lebby Stanton



In the white moonlight, where the willow waves,  

He halfway gallops among the graves—  
A tiny ghost in the gloom and gleam,  
Content to dwell where the dead men dream,  
But wary still!         
For they plot him ill;  
For the graveyard rabbit hath a charm  
(May God defend us!) to shield from harm.  
Over the shimmering slabs he goes—  
Every grave in the dark he knows;         
But his nest is hidden from human eye  
Where headstones broken on old graves lie.  
Wary still!  
For they plot him ill;  
For the graveyard rabbit, though sceptics scoff,          
Charmeth the witch and the wizard off!  
The black man creeps, when the night is dim,  
Fearful, still, on the track of him;  
Or fleetly follows the way he runs,  
For he heals the hurts of the conjured ones.          
Wary still!  
For they plot him ill;  
The soul’s bewitched that would find release,—  
To the graveyard rabbit go for peace!  
He holds their secret—he brings a boon          
Where winds moan wild in the dark o’ the moon;  
And gold shall glitter and love smile sweet  
To whoever shall sever his furry feet!  
Wary still!  
For they plot him ill;         
For the graveyard rabbit hath a charm  
(May God defend us!) to shield from harm.

To visit The Graveyard Rabbit blog,

5 comments:

Robin Larkspur said...

a curious, but lovely work, thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I sent this off to my friend right away. I think it would tickle her fancy too. Hugs and sparkles - WG

The Artful Gypsy aka Wendy the Very Good Witch said...

Love it! That was fantastic....I just love poetry. :o)

Sister Shirley said...

Love this! Perfect for Halloween. Thank you : )

Róisín said...

This is wonderful Jeanne! I hadn't realised it but I was really in the mood for a bit of Halloween verse. Thanks, it's a great wee poem!