The Fantom Locusta

Not one to read too much into this. I simply enjoy a good narrative and felt the character of Locusta would be an enjoyable character to develop in a poem. I am an equal opportunities poet and would hate to be accused of any misogyny. Take it as it is, a bit of gothic fun in the spirit of the Romantics. It is the nearest I get to being mad, bad or dangerous to know!


The Fantom Locusta

Into the realms of Fear and Hate
A hooded horseman rode alone
To face a foe more terrible
Than any he had known before

Soaked to the skin by driving rain
And chilled right to his bones
hunched he clung onto his steed
Held in his hand a mighty bow

Across a landscape lightning lit
Lamenting peals of thunder rolled
Striking terror in a hero's heart
And with each step he grew less bold

Upon a ridge above the crags
Appeared a ghastly silhouette
Standing out against the sky
The mighty castle of Locusta

A lightning fork illuminated
A figure on the parapet
Alone Locusta's raw boned frame
Stared down with eyes of death and shame

No mortal soul could stand her gaze
A look of ice and hate and death
A face so pale and agonized
Made bitter, twisted by regret

She raised her hand, her fingers glowed
And spat out fire and shards of ice
the hero's horse reared up in fear
And threw its charge onto the ground

He rolled across the muddied earth
His bow was drawn, an arrow found
'Fieri facias!*' he cried
And took his aim at the Fantom's heart

His aim was true, the target found
Locusta clutching at her breast
That once gave succour to the weak
Before she brought them death

She screamed with agonising pain
Anger flashing from her eyes
She scrambled at the parapet
Then plunged down to her grim demise

Locusta perished where she fell
No longer mistress of her realm
Her bones lay broken on the rocks
Beneath the castle where she fell

Already mould and creeping time
Held back no longer by her hand
Devoured her citadel with greed
the stones decayed, the towers fell

The hooded hero with cautious step
Examined the Fantom's broken frame
With horror stood and watched the bones
Return to dust from whence they came

In his face see eyes of many
Tortured souls seeking revenge
Those who Locusta once had cared for
But brought their lives to a cruel end

Their pain and anger had subsided
Now their souls could be at peace
This one time realm of Fear and Hate
Was free at last from a Fantom beast.

Locusta - a woman who murders those she professes to nurse
* Fieri facias - cause it to be done