Castle By the Sea

There stands a desolate castle on England's venerable shore, That once sheltered a royal line that ruled its sprawling realm. Now, according to local lore, eerie things are seen and heard, In that castle by the sea, in that haunted castle by the sea! On blustery nights a spectral sentry is seen pacing its towers. Clad in mail, armed with lance, he's heard to herald the hours. His disembodied voice is heard e'en o'er the raging storm, Atop that castle by the sea, atop that haunted castle by the sea! On stormy nights as thunder crashes and the savage gale shrieks, Lightning illumes a princess wraith, tears coursing down her cheeks, As she waves to her handsome prince who goes forth into battle, In that castle by the sea, in that haunted castle by the sea! On moonlit nights a phantom hearse drawn by six ebon steeds, Trailed by ghostly figures intoning haunting dirges is often seen. As drifting clouds overshadow the moon, it fades from view, Nigh that castle by the sea, nigh that haunted castle by the sea! If only those barren, lichen covered walls could only speak, But, alas, they now stand forlorn, eternally mute and bleak. The haunting secrets they might reveal are forever buried, In that castle by the sea, in that haunted castle by the sea! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired © All Rights Reserved Honorable Mention in Debbie Guzzi's "Jack OUT Of The Box" Contest - Jun 2011