All Covered in Chalk

All Covered in Chalk

The players wear a hat, and a long purple gown,
and are chased through the streets, to the heart of the town,
There to be judged by how many a hand,
Has been laid on their gowns before they reach the strand.

In the story it's based on, Esme never got caught,
So the winner is decided by how few hand prints she’s got.
Every year, it’s the fate of those less agile girls,
To be patterned with chalk from their feet to their curls.

Then one fateful year, a girl with hair like red fire,
Heckled the chasers, and ignited their ire.
She ran along rooftops, and down narrow braes,
She knew all of the short cuts, and secretive ways,

But, catch her they did, and before they let go,
Her cloak was all white as the pure driven snow.
With chin tilted high, she strode onto the stage,
Although she had lost, her face showed no rage.

There stood her friend, who'd been slowest for years,
She was laughing, and smiling, and wiping at tears.
The red-head strode past her, to the end of the line.
“I guess that I lost," She said, "And that's fine."

The Dark Water

Wax and grow, spreading, slow,

Trickle and wend, around the bend.

Gurgle and flow, up we go,

To laughter's death and smile's end.

Seep, creep, up the wall,

Grip the pipe, grasp the gutters,

Up to the highest windows tall,

To parch the life behind the shutters.

Bubble and creep, quick and steep,

Ooze and pour, onto the floor,

Through the window, in we seep,

To the light blue room, with the painted door.

Caught

Caught

"The rules for the black hats

state that if you are caught,

you must tell us a riddle,

whether you're willing or not."

"A riddle?" says she,

"I have hundreds to spout.
For starters, please tell me,

Why do sisters fall out?"

"That's not a riddle!" I cried,

"That's as vague as can be!

I meant like,

"What thing has eyes that can't see?"

"I know that one," she said,

"The answer is, 'Me in the dark.'

Unlike that one,

my riddle's not such a walk in the park."

I hesitated, 

not wanting to forfeit the test.

"Is the answer,

that they cannot both be the best."

"Nice try." Said she,

"You could well be right.

But the answer to a riddle

must fit the question air-tight."

I muttered and grumbled,

but wouldn't give in.
as I searched for the knowledge,
that would help me to win.

And then came the answer,
and it fit like a glove,
From an old song about Esme,
and lost sisterly love.

"Sisters will fight,
it seems clear to me,
when one has the other
thrown into the sea!"

Witch Knight

I've long since done fighting

and hung up my armour.

I'm finished with knighting,

and now I'm a farmer.

But when I am needed,

and calamity threatens

I'll put on my armour,

and sharpen my weapons.

Against those such as me,

many spears have been broken.

I have limbs like a willow,

and a will that is oaken.