Jester's Gambit

• Ryder Gavin, Grade 9, Melrose High School
• Poetry
• 2015

Excellence Award in the 'The Write Track 2015' competition

Can you hear the yells?
Filled with sadness, filled with fright?
Can you hear his bells?
A faint "jingle" in the night?

A light music from the alley
The tune so young, so light
Could it be? Is it he?
His "jingle" in the night?

His bells, his box, make sounds so sweet
Your feet take off, a frenzied flight
The jester grins, prepared to eat
Another feast for the beast in the night

With a suit of skin, and claws that rip
He preys on men until first light
With bells on his hat, and a box at his hip
Will you gamble with the jester this night?