Lessons Learned

My grandson asked if back when I was young I had ever done anything naughty or wrong I said shut the door put on listening ears And Ill tell you a tale of rank shivering fear One night at midnight I sneaked from my bed To a neigr knocker fastened a thread Old Mrs. Murphy, ninety and living all alone That she was a witch was really well known I pulled the string and the knocker did bang Then over the garden wall lithely I sprang When the old woman limped to the door Finding nobody there she ranted and swore Again and again I pulled that on the thread As over and over tears of laughter I shed Then the moon clouded and all turned dark A cold hand of fear icily fingered my heart A voice rasped lowly filling me with dread ‘I’ve got you now and soon you’ll be dead’ I was then dragged to Mrs. Murphy’s door Feeling more terrified than ever before The door was opened I was pushed inside Nowhere I could run nowhere I could hide There in the kitchen the old woman sat Black cloak and hair, black teeth and hat Our neighbour then sat me down on a chair The witch held me still with malevolent stare Pointing long sharp nailed finger I felt the spell As she spoke of hot flames and rotting in hell I promised to be good and meant it sincerely I’ve been good ever since, well almost, nearly (5th in contest,’Childhood memories’ by Crystal Wilkins)