sunnys-house-of-whimsy

[sunnys-house-of-whimsy]

A spirit lies coyly, just out of reach, A blue glint of luster, in the dark night An ethereal gleam amongst the peat. Careful and steady in its slow bright flight.

The dancing flames do lost travelers lure, Those foolish to follow it leads astray to their final slumber amongst the moor, Led by the wiles of mischievous fae.

Sprawling forever in watery tombs, Skin turns to leather as time passes on, Never to rot where red berries can bloom, Moss shrouds ancient bodies, never quite gone.

Do not run after the lights in the swamp, Where beckoning fae become psychopomps.

Their most common name comes from the word "wile" and the word for a bundle of kindling. They are mischievous blue balls of fire, hovering over swamps, bogs, and marshes. They've been sighted all across Europe since at least the 14th century from Ireland to Norway, where they're seen as fairy fire. The phenomenon is sighted all over, including Australia and Japan. Seen as symbols of death, they hover just out of reach, leading travelers astray either to treasure or to their doom. Some places believed they were caused by the Puca, a shapeshifting goblin from Celtic folklore. They move slowly, unwavering and unflickering, a light in the dark. Legend says if someone were to get close enough to one, it would be cold to the touch. The leading theory is that methane and other gases from wetlands spontaneously combust, creating these fires. This theory makes sense, as will o' the wisps are often sighted over wetlands, and methane burns blue.

[sunnys-house-of-whimsy]

[sunnys-house-of-whimsy]

frutiger aero collage except the main feature is a barreleye fish