Lurking by the river wide
Thundering hooves and shining hide
Flowing mane with weed tied tight
Lies the kelpie dark as night.
A water horse of magic black
Inviting you to mount his back
Many guises he will show
Before he drags you down below.
Or posing as a handsome man
He will entice you if he can
And swallowed by the river bed
You’ll join the other fated dead.
Pleading victims crying no!
But mercy he can never show
Changing shape’s the easy part
He cannot change what’s in his heart.
The devil’s whip cracks in his ear
This creature fills poor souls with fear
The blackest heart; a beast so wild
Beware the kelpie, every child!Fiona Lochhead
