Algol
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When gazing Beta Persei,
a star with many ghoulish names,
be wary of a winking eye,
for many fear its flames,
and ghastly, ghostly games.
Ancient mariners would watch with dread
and chant their prayers out loud,
when that “Eye in Medusa’s Severed Head”
was held by Perseus proud
high o’er the heathen crowd.
Sailor’s hairs would stand and straighten
when they glimpsed its grim Gorgona.
The Hebrews called it “Rosh ha Satan”
for its demon head persona,
with serpent hair corona.
Dubbed “Ras al Ghul” in Arabic,
or “Algol” in the West,
“The Demon Star” plays quite a trick,
“The Ghoul’s Eye” says it best,
of this I can attest:
In early evening blazing bright,
guiding galleon ships,
then dimming deeply late at night,
by means of an eclipse
of stars in an ellipse.
Three days hence this trick repeats
with pre-ordained precision.
Dark demon light again depletes
when it winks with wild derision,
which begs a bad decision.
Oh Ras al-Ghul! Oh Ras al Ghul!
So near and yet so far --
do not take me for a fool
that fears "The Demon Star,"
“The Devil’s Demon Star.”
Yet many who think it mirth or myth,
still double down in doubts,
when that wily eye would wink forthwith
they’ll watch their whereabouts.
Better watch your whereabouts!
For those Gorgon snakes give you the shakes,
and chill you to the bone.
And one wrong look is all it takes
to turn you into stone,
eternally alone.
Submitted June 27, 2020
Copyright © Eric Cohen | Year Posted 2020
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