Penglaz

Penglaz

Bobbing and dancing
Through the old cobbled streets
The 'Obby 'Oss Night-Mare
Bewitches us with a steady drum-beat.

The ghostly white face
Of the 'Oss gathers near
Seeking wisdom
Of the creature's skeletal leer!

The crowd gathers round
Tension mounts, as she rears -
Then a commotion assembles
Snaking Serpent Dance cheer!

Writhing and twisting
Through the narrow dark streets
Down to the docks where
Ancient spirit's of 'Oss-Bucca meet.

Then away in the shadows
Of sinister mock-gothic facade
Torchlit dancing processions light the way
By the old bone-yard.

On the feast of St John
Summer Solstice, mid-year
This Golowan spectacle manifesting
So much joy and fear.

This ancient holy festival
Proves such a delight
It goes on and on through
The fatally short summer night

From it's dark folklore roots
From the long distant past
The mid-summer nights dreaming
It is once again ours!


Penglaz: the Solstice 'Obby 'Oss of Penzance
Photographs copyright Alex Langstone 2008