CONTENT WARNING
This tale contains strong language, disturbing themes, and graphic violence. Reader discretion is advised.
__________________
We run through the dark streets in ev’ry town,
Through the alleys, sewers—our homes underground—
Away from the coppers looking to grab us,
Take us all away, tie us, leave us bound.
We’re faster than them.
And we love mayhem.
They come for us all—
We’re not gonna fall—
We’re more than they realize.
We span creed and class and even ages—
Races—children from all over the place;
The beginnings, our quick separation
From our immigrant parents—gone—no trace.
Put within cages,
Our fury rages;
We creep through the streets,
Ev’ry night this repeats.
Far more than they realize.
They forget we’re in the age of the web;
We exist like ghosts beyond the dank streets,
Recruiting numbers in every kid’s room.
Our reach goes past the bedroom and the sheets.
What does your kid do?
Do you think they’re true?
Where’d that wallet go?
Think again—you know
Way more than you realize.
We’re scaling up on the good kid ladder,
We’re homeless, yet within ev’ry home;
We know your ev’ry move—we’ll come for you—
Think you can run? Well, we’ve stolen your chrome.
No cars to flee with;
Mister, we’re not myth.
You can scream tonight,
We love to hear fright
Much more than you realize.
Nobody likes a knife put to their throat—
The pain can be felt before there’s a slice—
But know this, Mister fucking President,
We kids right here have stopped being so nice.
Vice President—here—
Is shaking in fear.
See, it’s him we’ve framed,
For your death, he’s blamed;
And, no, they won’t realize.
They won’t know what hit them or why you’re dead,
“What’s come of this country,” they’ll all decry,
They will seek out any conspirators,
As old Vicey here is about to die.
Yet we know your codes—
All of this forebodes
Bad for your country;
They’ll all gain entry,
Once they all realize.
© 2026 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
First published on tristanrobertlange.com, October 19, 2026.
Tittu
+++
Coming...
This Macabre Monday:
DEVILISHLY DREADFUL
Valentine's Voice
on October 26, 2026
This Friday:
Appalachian Virtual Ensemble peforming
Tristan Robert Lange's
Annabel Lee
A Tone Poem Interpretation of
Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel Lee"
Available for FREE on Bandcamp and
most streaming services.
Friday, October 23, 2026
Visit https://tristanrobertlange.com/2026/10/16/coming-october-23-annabel-lee/ for more information.
-
Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: October 19th, 2026 07:23
- Comment from author about the poem: This is the sixth part of Season 2 in my series, Devilishly Dreadful. For Macabre Monday. Inspired by The Wild Boys of London; or, The Children of Night, this Ghostly Gallop reimagines the penny dreadful’s urban child-gang panic through the horrors of family separation, deportation, broken foster systems, and a country that creates its own monsters before pretending not to recognize them.
- Category: Gothic
- Views: 9
- Users favorite of this poem: Teddy.15
- In collections: Devilishly Dreadful: A Macabre Monday Series.
Offline)
Comments5
I have often wondered how far power's manipulation goes. This poem speaks of an administration now hated for its arrogance, stupidity and blunders. Could it be that the opposition planed this to gain as power again as a reaction to form a one world order over running borders destabilizing the old order and establishing a new order. Creepy thoughts when all is unknown.
Thanks, Soren! The more I watch what’s happening politically, the more I wonder how much damage people in power are willing to tolerate so long as they come out ahead. It’'s disturbing to contemplate, for sure. 🐀📱⚡🐦⬛
Most welcome my friend
I have a 13 year old son and you have just put into perspective the world we live in, my son has been immensely educated on phone use and doesn't have any social network but these people get into every nook and cranny and your words are so powerful, you really have an eye opening poem here .thank you dear Tristan and I thank you as a mother. 🌹
Teddy, your response genuinely means a lot to me. I think one of the greatest responsibilities we have as adults is to make the world safer for the children who inherit it. Thank you for taking this one to heart, my dear. Give your son an extra hug! 🐀📱⚡🐦⬛
💜
Doh! I knew I'd be scared on Mondays! But more scarier surely is the sound of glugs. Your next poem: 'The Ghastly Glugs'? lol.
Along I came and took the edge off anything scary, horrific, ghastly, by making some daft comment or suggestion. lol.
Orchi! I've just received word that Popeye has been banned from six haunted houses! Apparently, the ghosts complained that his glugging was interfering with their screams! Amityville even noted that its usual screaming “get out” and flooding rooms with flies did nothing to stop him! LOL! 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Tremendous work. Gritty and sharp.
Thank you, Thomas! I've really been enjoying how this series has developed. It's become quite an adventure, and I'm having a hell of a time with it! 🐀📱⚡🐦⬛
Hello, Tristan,
Political thugs from the top down, encouraging thuggish behaviour. It is no wonder the bedrooms of teenagers have become war rooms and the streets the battlefields of rage. Great stuff from you, my friend.
Fond regards,
Tony.
Ah, Tony! I suspected this one might strike a particular chord with you. There's something deeply unsettling about watching history's warnings go unheeded, especially when innocent lives are caught in the consequences. Thank you, as always, for your friendship and encouragement. 🐀📱⚡🐦⬛
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