Here, Dwells A Monster - Part I

i.
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse.
My wife and son lay silent, all tucked in their beds,
Visions of demons no longer danced in my head.
My figure from the hall cast a shadow in the room,
The air a heavy pall, befitting this late night's gloom.
I bet you're all wondering what led to my plight,
It began two months ago on Halloween night.

ii.
My friend was throwing a party, costumes required—
Wear something eye-catching, unique, something inspired.
The festivities underway when my family arrived,
My son dressed as Superman, us, Bonnie and Clyde.
We partook of drink and merriment all throughout the eve,
Around the stroke of midnight, most began to leave.
I hugged my wife and kid and kissed them goodnight,
Told them I'd get a ride and be home at first light.
I watched my family depart as I closed the front door,
And turned to see my friend beckoning us forward.
He produced a Ouija board and placed it on the table,
"Do you guys believe in ghosts? Or think they're just fable?"
The rest of us laughed and asked if he was serious,
"Just give it a try. Aren't you the least bit curious?"
We sat around the board and listened to directions,
On communing with the dead, during our late night session.
After some time of nothing remotely disturbing,
Something creepy occurred, something very unnerving.
The planchette began moving of its own accord,
Then watched as it zig-zagged across the board.
I bolted upright—From a sharp, searing pain—
And heard the voice of a woman whispering my name.
Over the commotion, the sound of distant laughing,
A sudden chill engulfed me, my consciousness blackened.

iii.
I awoke with a start! Hands pressed against my head,
On a sweat soaked pillow, sheets strewn about the bed.
How’d I get home? Had what I drank been laced?!
Then felt the burn of three scratch marks on my waist.
Soon, sleepless nights followed, I became despondent,
Endless whispers from the shadows, my fragile mind haunted.
Glimpses of a figure unseen by my family,
Vanished into dark corners, questioned my sanity.
The little sleep I got, the darkest of dreams took hold,
My loved ones stared with mouths agape, eyes black as coal.
Was this real or nightmare? I could no longer discern,
Then the darkly figure of a woman, would nightly return.
"Your family's souls are damned, free them from their hurtin'.
Shuffle off the mortal coil, and be done with this burden.”

Copyright © | Year Posted 2023



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 12/20/2023 11:35:00 PM
Welcome to Poetry Soup. I welcome you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.
Login to Reply
Mirthwood Avatar
Raven Mirthwood
Date: 12/22/2023 7:42:00 AM
Thank you!
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter