Have pity on the Wailing Woman—
—whose fearful cry is grief's harbinger; whose voice is hear in your family's darkest hour; the one you fear and revile for the tragic tidings she heralds; whose presence promises only pain—
—Have pity on the Wailing Woman.


Little you know how much she has seen, for how silently she must watch when elation fills your home. A new child is born and she longs to rejoice, for her family—your family—has grown strong. A cause for celebration: a laugh fills her heart, but her cursed lips refuse to part, give it voice.

Little you know how long she remains, for she must be silent and unseen 'till her dread duty calls. The child grows to manhood, and how proud she is, for he will lead her family—your family—well. A hope-filled occasion: a celebratory shout in her mind, but how well she knows it can never spring forth.


Have pity on the Wailing Woman—
—whose keening wail fills heart and home with dread; whose voice issues only in deepest lament; the one you push away when she longs for comfort; who knows that you hate her for the secret she carries—
—Have pity on the Wailing Woman.


Little you know with what care she lingers, for—for her—love must be silent, only grief can be heard. The man comes to wed and she weeps now for joy, for he will continue her family's—your family's—line. A ceremony like no other: a song throughout her bein, but none will ever hear her exultation.

Little you know how much she loves, for she can never truly be part of the family called 'hers'. The man goes to war and worry and pride mingle in her breast for he will bring her family—your family—honor. But her duty lingers close as he marches forth to danger, and none will hear her whisper: "Please, be safe."


Have pity on the Wailing Woman—
—whose fearful cry is grief's harbinger; whose voice is hear in your family's darkest hour; the one you fear and revile for the tragic tidings she heralds; whose presence promises only pain—
—Have pity on the Wailing Woman,

The Banshee.

So, yeah. Essentially this little piece puts into poetical words the impression I've had of the Banshee since I first learned what she was almost eight years ago. Really, it's kind of sad, if you think about it: she's a fairy attached to a single family that is only acknowledged when she grieves the death of one of the members—but what if she's there the whole time?
Anyhow, I finally wrote this since I've just been cast as a banshee in a little show here at school, and all these thoughts came back at once, so I thought I'd share them with you.