The legend of Highgate Cemetery. (A true story)
 
Fear the shadows within the gloom,
As silence pervades the ancient tombs;
Dread the demons within the dark,
Deafened by thrumming from a trembling heart.

A popular site for Victorian deceased,
Abandoned now to the undead beast;
A figure in black said to haunt the stones,
Of Highgate Cemetery, gnawing their bones.

With eyes that glow unearthly red,
And stench that says he should be dead;
He watches for travellers passing the gate,
Beneath the darkened walls he'll wait.

Two lovers strolled one fateful night,
Along Swain's Lane in pale moonlight;
Believing that they were soon to be wed,
They had no thoughts of "Evil Dead."

Abruptly aware of the interloper,
A figure, described by the pen of Bram Stoker;
In frozen horror they could only stare,
At the ruby eyes and the baleful glare.

Mesmerised by the hideous spectre,
The young man watched as the creature dragged her;
Screaming through the iron gates,
And into the darkness to gruesome fates.
 
Fired into actions too late to save her,
He ran to the gates with mind aquiver;
Only to find they were padlocked fast,
With iron chain and heavy clasp.

 He scaled the wall with a single bound,
On the other side, dropped to the ground;
Of his future bride there was no sight,
Nor of her captor in the cold moonlight.


Police were called and a search was conducted,
Among tombs and graves for the girl abducted;
No sign of her ever came to view,
Nothing that is...
                       ...except one shoe.


A Poem by Mysteral
© October 2008


Highgate Cemetery, North London constructed in 1839 was a fashionable burial place for Victorians. By the 1960's it had fallen into neglect and decay. Stories circulated the cemetery was haunted & newspapers reported England's first Vampire in 100 years.
 
Highgate Cemetery, North London, England

Well, It's based on a true story.
For more information see Wikipedia Highgate Vampire


Info note:

In Highgate Cemetery can be found the tombs of many prominent figures including:
Karl Marx,
Michael Faraday,
George Elliot, (Mary Ann Evans)
Douglas Adams,--author of Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy

 

 
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