The Poetry Corner

The Shrieking Woman At Marblehead

By Helen Leah Reed

'Twas a Spanish galleon sailed the seas, - Two centuries since have rolled - Laden with silver and gems to please Gay dames and gallants bold. But villainous pirates seized the ship As homeward she was bound; Ah, she has made her last long trip For they ran her soon aground. From Oakum Bay into Marblehead They brought one lady fair, - Her husband, alas, and his crew are dead, And her they will not spare. Loud, loud she shrieked in the pirates' arms, "Oh, save me - Jesu, save!" Cruel echo mocked at her wild alarms, As they dug her a nameless grave. Yet once a year when the night has come That saw her dreadful death, You can hear her above the ocean's boom Shriek out with her dying breath.