'The Manticor and the Nymph'

Beneath the waning moon the Manticor trod, alone and lost in his gloom.

The forest dark, weighed heavy like his heart; burdened by terrible loss and woe.

In a clearing he found a small lake and a knoll to rest,

To drink and long for the release of sleep.

But as he lay his head, Wisps took flight and danced amongst the Willows around his bed.

“Leave me be ‘o’ Wisps!”, he growled “For I crave slumber; not your light to see!”.

Maybe in response and maybe in spite their dance renewed with vigour and delight.

The Manticor’s soul was too heavy though, to object any more

And he instead glared at the darkening pool, inconsolable,

And paying no mind to the mischievous sprites that so wanted to goad him by ignoring his request.

With furrowed brow he glared into the inky waters. The light of the stars and wisps reflected,

Fractured and faltered as something stirred beneath the surface.

Bubbles rippled in the blackened mirror

And the forlorn beast for just a moment

Forgot in curiosity the troubles that waylaid him. And then he saw!

Neither from the depths nor from the reflected Willows, a beauty formed from behind the veil.

Her skin pale, a colour twinned with moonlight and at this sight,

The Manticor held bated breath. “What troubles thee,”

Asked the Nymph, “Maneater, Beast of Beasts?

Your tail is barbed and twisted like Blackthorn, yet your coat is soft as moss. Your face is kind

Yet troubled so, pray tell me of your loss?”

“All the innocence and purity has left this world”, sighed the Beast of Beasts.

“It was my charge to guard, but I failed and now the land is marred!

“For this is Mans land now and his god is sin

“And nothing sacred will hold dear in Mans quest.

“I have failed sweet Nymph and like the land I am broken.”

“Oh, dearest Love,” implored the Nymph, “Do not fret for it is not quite so!

“Please take my words as token. See these Wisps and how they play? There is magic still in this land,

“And in your heart. For the land of Man will always be set apart

“And his gaze will never see nor will he ever know

“The truth of the World, not amongst the devastation that he sows

“For even when the land is carved and laid bare and these darkling woods no longer

“We shall still be the wonder in all places, the whisper on all winds. For we are the timeless;

“The forever and the enduring. The glamour and enamour!

“So do not let your heart way heavy for maybe ‘yes’

“We have lost the way the world once was, but your time will come again, gentle man-eater.

“For whilst we hide behind the veil and away from Mans eyes,

“Man will fall to his own demise and in his wake, you will feast upon his carcass and revel

“And though the land be levelled your guard will begin again

“As the ancient groves and sacred places

“Form anew and in their youth be nothing but purity and innocence.”

With these words the Manticor wept. For he knew the truth in them

And lamented that it must be so. But he knew the world would die and grow, and die and grow.

His ancient eyes lifted, and he saw the Nymph smiling

Her frail yet enduring frame naked and shining.

In that moment their love was one and could never be undone as the Wisps played around them

Forever and a time.

‘The Manticor and the Nymph’ by Ross Pelham Austin Lockhart