Notes About The Poem

The Haunted House

The Haunted House

Driving with my date at midnight, looking at the August moonlight, 
lonely road, no one in eyesight, searching for a place to park.
Off the road a mansion ‘pearing, in the woods, back in a clearing,
all alone this mansion fearing, stands deserted in the dark…
     the mansion stands there in the dark.

Vacant now for many ages, rotting as her time turns pages,
legend of her haunting rages, haunting ghosts that oversee.
Eerie winds around are blowing, in the window soft light glowing,
curiosity is growing, soft light beckons us to see…
     the soft light calls for us to see.

Feel like we are strangers poaching, on this haunted house encroaching,
front porch creaks as we’re approaching, and the front door open wide.
Through the door now we are heading, on the inside odor shedding,
musty air with dust is spreading, leaving us red blurry eyed…
     the dust makes us red blurry eyed.

In our ears there is a droning, down the hall we hear a moaning,
sounding like an old man groaning, leaving us to wonder why.
Down the hallway we go searching, knowing not what evil lurching,
through the door we see there perching, skeleton from days gone by…
     bones sitting there from days gone by.

On the floor there is blood pooling, ‘neath the ashen bones so grueling,
such an eerie sight befooling, tell my date to turn and run.
Chasing close behind I follow, for this fear I cannot swallow,
felling like my life is hollow, thinking that my time is done…
     I’m feeling like my days are done.

Wake up in a forest clearing, in the sky, sunlight appearing,
from the night my mind is veering, how I got here I don’t know.
Leaving now my gut is churning, don’t think I will be returning,
evil place my mind discerning, wrought with spirits from below…
     the evil spirits from below…..
          this haunted house has got to go.  



August 18, 2018
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Nicole Avatar
December 21, 2018 at 11:04 PM
Sometimes scary makes for a spectacular poem indeed. :) Congratulations John, on this win. ~ Brandy
Gondolf Avatar
December 22, 2018 at 6:30 AM
Thank you, Brandy, your support means much to me. John
Dietrich Avatar
December 21, 2018 at 6:20 PM
the rhythm of this is much like a famous poem about an Indian, but I can't even think of its name right now. Anyway, I loved that meter. It went so nicely with the haunted theme! VERY well done. Congrats on your win. I had never seen this poem of yours until now.
Gondolf Avatar
December 21, 2018 at 7:43 PM
Thanks so much, Andrea, I’m glad you enjoyed it. John
Hopkins-Drewer Avatar
December 21, 2018 at 2:20 PM
Very Walter de la Mare!
Gondolf Avatar
December 21, 2018 at 2:48 PM
Thank you, Cecelia.
Devonshire Avatar
December 21, 2018 at 1:22 PM
Stopping back with congratulations on your win in Nina's contest, John. Always liked this one. Best wishes, Carolyn
Gondolf Avatar
December 21, 2018 at 1:36 PM
Thank you, Carolyn!
Gauthier Avatar
December 21, 2018 at 9:57 AM
What a lovely read. Congrats on your podium finish, John. Superbly done.
Gondolf Avatar
December 21, 2018 at 1:35 PM
Thank you, Line!
Rodrigues Avatar
December 21, 2018 at 9:42 AM
Certainly a Poe-esque type of poem! The repetition creeps on the skin, giving goosebumps. Certainly a fave! Congrats on your trophy wi, John!
Gondolf Avatar
December 21, 2018 at 10:04 AM
Thank you, Kim, and thanks for the fav. Merry Christmas to you and your family! John
Roper Avatar
September 16, 2018 at 8:06 PM
I'm a little late,John, great rhyme, imagery and story. Big congratulations on your win. Hugs Eve~`*
Gondolf Avatar
September 16, 2018 at 8:24 PM
Thank you so much, Eve, I appreciate it. John
La France Avatar
September 5, 2018 at 11:30 AM
John, congratulations on your win in my contest with this creepy tale, wonderful writing, well done !
Gondolf Avatar
September 5, 2018 at 11:44 AM
Thank you, Constance, I appreciate it and thanks for hosting the contest. John
Marcum Wong Avatar
September 1, 2018 at 7:39 PM
An impressive masterpiece John! Excellent meter and peppered with rhyme in all the right places. Outstanding amd going into my faves John! Congratulations on your win which is a top winner for me! : )
Gondolf Avatar
September 1, 2018 at 7:55 PM
Thank you so much, Connie, I spent a bit more time on this write than I normally do, your comment means a great deal to me. And thank you for the fav, I appreciate it. John
Laurie Avatar
August 25, 2018 at 7:13 PM
G'day John … bloody spooky aye what, but kept me interested right to the very end. The way your poem is written is exceptionally for a horror story - thanks John - Lindsay
Gondolf Avatar
August 25, 2018 at 9:36 PM
Thanks for the wonderful comments, Lindsay, I appreciate it. John
Warrior Avatar
August 21, 2018 at 12:41 AM
Love this haunted house, John...toga party time lol...great read my friend...love & light...^WW^
Gondolf Avatar
August 21, 2018 at 4:09 AM
Thanks, WW, I appreciate your support. John
Nicole Avatar
August 18, 2018 at 7:15 PM
"this haunted house has got to go" I think so!!! I felt like I was watching a horror movie. I was like- hold me- and don't let go!!! After I am away from this scary place, of course. I must say, this is an incredible write. Feels so real to me. ~ Brandy
Nicole Avatar
August 18, 2018 at 8:33 PM
No way!! You need to leave this poem as it is. The reader needs to decide, to wonder what happens next. Awe, and I am sure your date is near. Just waiting for you to hold her close. :) Brandy
Gondolf Avatar
August 18, 2018 at 7:46 PM
Thanks for your comment, Brandy, I enjoyed it. I think I need a couple more stanzas, I don’t know what happened to my date, I need to find her. She probably found someone else to hold her close...the story of my life...haha. John
Devonshire Avatar
August 18, 2018 at 10:57 AM
Tension build well through your descriptions, John. Your masterful suspense leads the reader to wonder how he woke outside the haunted house after the door had shut behind him. Especially enjoyed the way your fourth and fifth lines of each verse enhance the gravity of the situation through repetition, almost like voices heard inside his head. Your talent shines in this eerie tale, my friend, and I wish you success in the contest! Hugs, Carolyn
Devonshire Avatar
September 6, 2018 at 9:03 AM
Just want to congratulate you on your win in the contest, John. Both of us had fun with this topic. Perhaps my next contest should have a "haunting" Halloween theme.
Gondolf Avatar
August 18, 2018 at 11:10 AM
Thanks so much, Carolyn, I glad you enjoyed it. I used the same meter that I did in The Dark Side of October both of which I borrowed from The Raven. I think the meter and the internal rhymes give it the suspenseful feeling. It probably could have used a couple more stanzas but I was afraid if it got too long no one would read it. All the best. John
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