Wailing Woman A Lyric Poem by Ray John de Aragón I went to sleep one night And dreamed, A dream so pleasant that It seemed, As though I soared to Greater heights, Among the stars, Among the heavens. Then She stepped in. I felt her. She felt me, And I was filled with ecstasy. But deep within me Something changed A happy feeling Turned to gloom. Now in my soul I'm filled with fear A thing of darkness So unclear, It pulls within me till I yearn, To bring that memory Back again. All I know is that one night I heard this hideous crying, crying. I searched it out Because of caring, Caring for this one in pain. I found a woman in the blackness, Reaching out to me in sadness Such a horrid sight to see. Her face was blotched with greenish Shadows, purple lines, And graying skin like someone From beyond the grave. She touched me with her mournful story, A tale full of love and sorrow. And with each day and passing moment, Brings another dreary night. This Wailing Woman is a spirit Wandering in an endless search. Her mournful cry is always Blowing through the dark Foreboding paths. The old ones grieved and Called her frightful, Praying for her soul's repose. And yet she still keeps on returning, It is said for those she lost. No one knows just how to help her, How to place her heart at peace, Her soul is in such dire torment, She only wants her pain to cease. Always, always she comes Pleading, begging me to Help her find, A key that will break open All her suffering of mind. Now, I know, I know her tale, It is I that lived before, And my torment is in being on this Earth forever more. She appears and she does Follow as I go from Life to death, and I know I too must suffer till I Whisper my last breath. But before I start this over, And I go from life to life, I must tell my mournful story Because I know I must, I must. So to anyone that reads this Pray for us by day and night So that she and I may harbor In our souls a friendly light. I remember, I remember She's the one I'm longing for. Luisa, Luisa please forgive Me for the suffering you bore. I was captured by your beauty, Really taken by your song. Your haunting voice is ever Calling, "Come to me, Come to me." Oh, how can I resist this feeling Of despair inside your soul? You took your infants lives in sorrow And now you're doomed forever more. I'm the one that did this to you When I forsook your love and caring. They burned you as a witch. I was a coward, Ashamed and frightened. I just turned and looked away. Now her grief is for her loved ones As she goes in endless search From the valleys to the mountains Seeking peace and just repose. If she finds you, She will take you, Thinking you belong to her, But it is I who must grow weary From this nightmare Dream of mine. So to anyone that reads this, Heed these words And please take care. La Llorona may entrap you With her grief and her despair. O, woe is me, Woe is me! From Tales of the Wailing Woman Copyright 1999 Ray John de Aragón