Here be Goblins

Introduction to 'Here be Goblins'

Goblins or demons in Old English these were known as scucca. I have found that these are usually associated with hills and mounds, many place names are based on them, some of which have found their way into this poem.

The Old English word scucca has lent itself to a number of fantastic beasts across our landscape the most famous of which is possibly Black Shuck, an East Anglian demon dog. In Lincolnshire tales tell of Shagfoal, a large black donkey.

There are many more…. So perhaps more food for thought and poetry.

However the subject matter appears to have its hazards. While researching places named after scucca I had quite a rough time with various areas of work, its as if a demon were on my back. For example, moments after I opened my research notes document, a plant in my study 2 ½ meters away decided to collapse. This was merely amusing other things however were not been much fun and are too numerous to list. So read this poem if you dare.

PS the gap at the beginning of the last line above just appeared! and despite several attempts to re-post it will not go away or be deleted!

Here be Goblins

Goblins or demons, Scucca art thy name,

Found on hill and mound, thee be styled the same.

Villages they languish, most folk stay away,

Hamlets didst not wax, by night or by day.

Watch out for old Scucca, his spirit lives on,

In ancient landscape, he wilt not be gone.

Shuck shady shadows, Grendel marsh Black Shuck,

Sinister places, his evil to cook.

Goblin-hill hamlet, Shuckburgh Warwickshire,

Hill goblin family, held nine hundred year.

Lower Shuckburgh’s, six sided steeple,

Upper Shuckburgh, has church but no people.

Shobrooke in Devon, long been goblin-brook,

Denoted and known, before Doomsday Book.

Village on high hill, but church stays outside,

When they built the church, did goblin misguide.

Shocklach in Cheshire, goblin haunted bog,

Dragon lord Drogo, with his hunting dog.

It's church dare not come, within mile of village,

With Odin's Slepnir, Vikings may pillage.

Beware of Scucca, he'll lead thee along,

Slow Internet down, Street View icon gone.

He plays tricks on thee, brings thee much bad luck,

Makes things fall apart, until thee say .... Puck.

Copyright April 2012 Andrew Rea