"The Puca Dupes Brian Boru (Ae Freslighe)" by Teresa Burns Murphy, Third Place, 2014

The Puca Dupes Brian Boru (Ae Freslighe)

by Teresa Burns Murphy

Third Place, 2014

Eerie steed, hooves thundering,
the puca met brave Boru.
Weary of its plundering,
the king surmounted the foe.

The shapeshifter, deflated,
swore he’d leave good folk alone.
The high king was persuaded
that the puca would atone.

In time, vile acts, suspicious,
made the shrewd Irish leery.
Puca’s vow was fictitious.
His deeds once more were eerie.