Misty Nights in the Swamp Lands
Misty Nights …

So dark the misty nights, and whispers tell
that swamp legends linger from distant past,
listen if you dare, to one who knows well
the tale of the lost soul of Nell Glass.
Protect yourself, or this may be the last
tale you will hear from the depths of hell,
for it is there we find poor Nellie’s soul,
if it grabs you, it will never let go.
Nellie’s apparition wanders the land,
calling out and begging in mournful plea,
for anyone who can lend a helping hand,
I warn you, reach out, devour you she will.
For you see, her ghost will surely demand
you give up your own soul to set her free,
free from the ill-got bargain she once made,
with the man she so loved and with him laid.
If you are woman she tears you to shreds,
jealousy seizes her, woman she dreads,
if you are man she becomes too savage,
and so gleefully Nellie will ravage.
Handsome Devin, lover women desired,
did choose Nellie, so sweet and innocent,
for his eternal passion, blushing bride,
his loving so thrilling, she did relent.
Relent to the passion that so fired
her entire being, each time she was sent
to beyond all bliss, beyond her senses,
her only hunger was him, relentness.
Devin, cried Nellie, I would sell my soul,
for all the loving you can give to me,
Take me days, take me nights, ravage me whole.
Sell her soul she did for eternity.
For Devin is a gatherer of souls,
of desperate women who give freely,
then sell them to the devil shamelessly,
in return for enhanced masculinity.
image featured: Ambrose
~~~~
© 2018 Phyllis Doyle Burns
Nellie’s apparition wanders the land,
calling out and begging in mournful plea,
for anyone who can lend a helping hand,
I warn you, reach out, devour you she will.
For you see, her ghost will surely demand
you give up your own soul to set her free,
free from the ill-got bargain she once made,
with the man she so loved and with him laid.
If you are woman she tears you to shreds,
jealousy seizes her, woman she dreads,
if you are man she becomes too savage,
and so gleefully Nellie will ravage.
Handsome Devin, lover women desired,
did choose Nellie, so sweet and innocent,
for his eternal passion, blushing bride,
his loving so thrilling, she did relent.
Relent to the passion that so fired
her entire being, each time she was sent
to beyond all bliss, beyond her senses,
her only hunger was him, relentness.
Devin, cried Nellie, I would sell my soul,
for all the loving you can give to me,
Take me days, take me nights, ravage me whole.
Sell her soul she did for eternity.
For Devin is a gatherer of souls,
of desperate women who give freely,
then sell them to the devil shamelessly,
in return for enhanced masculinity.

~~~~
© 2018 Phyllis Doyle Burns
- Ode to Voices in Desert Sands - August 14, 2023
- My Secluded Mountain Forest Nook - July 24, 2023
- My Cozy Log Cabin in the Woods - July 22, 2023

Nicely told Phyllis, and I’ve never liked the name Nellie, now I know why. Lol Well done and great to have you back. I’ve been having internet problems too. Keeps dropping out all the time and I’m about to ring them. Been a customer for 10 years and they just can’t get it right it seems. Take care.
Thank you, Tony. I don’t know why I chose the name Nellie – I never liked it either. Lol. It is good to be back. Internet problems are so frustrating and it is rather upsetting how much we depend on it. I am grateful to have other skills, like beading and crochet, to keep me sane and productive. Also, having your books always within reach is comforting and a pleasure. Take care.
x
Nice job Phyllis. Oh, there always seem to be some who are willing to sell their souls.
Thanks, John. This story is a slightly different version of one my Dad made up when I was about 9. Glad you enjoyed it.
Nice piece Phyllis, I would be also curious to read your Dad’s version as well.
Thank you, Kurt, I appreciate it. I will see if I can remember how Dad told it. I do know his was a little more mild than mine and had more description on the characters.