Reviled Castaway
A mom tucked in her child one night
In bliss he fell asleep
Her horror grew at day’s first light
She could not help but weep
A changeling lay in her son’s place
With wings, large hooves and tail
She scorned the babe who sought embrace
“Lord, curse the troll,” she wailed
For in the night a being crept
Through her New Jersey home
A fiend was left as she had slept
A gift from Satan’s gnome
Her handsome son, such envy sparked
Now resting in a troll’s domain
The changeling’s face by Satan marked
And love she could not feign
This curse she felt was envy pure
She could not bear its sight
A hateful child she’d not endure
Such scorn did he ignite
To Mother Leeds this thirteenth child
Became a castaway
It flew into the pines reviled
And to this day seeks prey
*Based on the legend of the New Jersey Devil.
Changelings are infants that are replaced overnight
by devilish imps from trolls or elves according to Irish legend.
Entry for the “Creepy Irish Creatures” contest.
Copyright © Carolyn Devonshire | Year Posted 2011
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