The Legend at Royal Oaks Plantation

A white mansion amongst old oak trees,
Uncut lawns, stagnant fountains, algae.
Pillars cracked, scoured, pitted from fire.
What nobility did this house once sire?

Fallen tombstones, sunken into ground,
From this decay, Marigolds abound.
But near ancient black oak, nothing dwells.
Here some evil has cast a timeless spell.

On tully fogged black nights of winter
Hoof prints on the bridle path appear.
A frightened horse galloping is heard,
Flustering awake slumbering birds.

Who rides this horse's ghost at night,
Locking midnight lovers in fright?
Is it ghost, or goblin, or shananakee
That stops to weep at the old oak tree?

Legends of slaves being raped and slain.
A ruthless battle from here gets it's name.
Old records don't explain what occurs here.
Someone in mourning keeps her secrets dear.

-dp-