They say she screamed
when they strung her up there
just as loud
as she screams today.
Twisting off CR 125
along the county line,
you must trespass
with rattlesnakes and feral hogs
to find that wagon road
fighting for space
with itch grass and duckweed
gnawing its bones.
The aging bridge
jutting over a drying stream
smirking rocks
jagged screams….
What price, murder?
But they say
she killed her love, cold
his cheating heart severed
his beautiful blood shining clear
in the hazy morning light.
Vigilante justice tying that rope
tight against her pale neck
bound hands and mouth.
Murderess!
Then they pushed her over
she hung
eyes bulging
veins popping
life draining.
Venture out one golden evening
listen as the winds gather round
fateful bridge grasping outward
and you can hear her plainly there…
Great poem, great story, great picture of ‘Screamin’ Sheila’, great music. I am on my second round of “Spooky Little Girl Like You.” Fun yet scary.
Thanks, Wally
Thank you, Wally. I have been writing the local lore of my area. I could actually never find a story of what supposedly happened at Screaming Sheila Bridge, so I just had to make up something. Needless to say, I haven’t been out there to check it out, ha ha! I love “Spooky Little Girl Like You,” they don’t make them like that anymore 😀
Yes, it was a great song. And also, if you don’t make up such great stories then who will? This world needs more creativity in the arts and less in the banking system.
Wally
I agree we need more creativity in the world. That’s always my argument to keep arts in the schools. If we don’t keep our kids interested in the arts, then we won’t have them in the future. Thanks, Wally.
You’ve got a gift for Halloween horror, Lana! This brought to mind an old family legend: we used to ride over a small metal bridge between my grandparent’s place and my great uncle’s house. They had both told us about Screamin’ Mimi, a lady who drowned in the stream. I don’t know if she was real or not, but we were sure she’d rise up and throw us and our bikes over the side if we didn’t pedal as fast as we could. 🙂
Oh that’s a great story too! There must be something about old bridges and screaming women, ha ha. I could never find out the real story behind this bridge, so I had to fabricate the whole tale….
Yikes! The bastard probably deserved it!
He may have, Marissa…ha ha!
Crikey!! But I was thinking what Marissa said ………
He may very well have, ha ha. I could never find the “real” story behind this bridge, so I just had to make something up. I tried to give her a reason to scream 😀
Ghoulish… 🙂
It’s a bit freaky, alright. I tried to research the “real” reason for the bridge’s reputation, but to no avail. Is Halloween a big deal in Canada? I know in some countries it isn’t, and some people on WordPress are probably looking at my posts and saying alright already, ha ha 😀
Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site and commented:
By the lovely L.T. Garvin.
Thank you, John 😀
You are welcome, and Happy Halloween.
Happen Halloween to you also! 😀
This is a really good piece LT. I’m so relieved I read this now, in daylight.
Thank you so much for the gracious compliment. I don’t like reading or watching these things at night either, ha ha.
Yikes, Lana. More local lore?
Yep, it is, but since it’s Halloween, I have to start winding down with these tales and get back to more despairing poetry, ha ha.
Ha ha ha ha. LOL
your strong images definitely create a mood! “you must trespass with rattlesnakes and feral hogs” is a wonderful example, as is “Vigilante justice tying that rope/ tight against her pale neck/ bound hands and mouth.” some good work here!
Thank you so much, Michael. I have been really into Halloween this year, ha ha. I made this one up completely, I could never find the “true” story 😀