The House
I've drove along this road before
And thought I knew it well
Every twist and turn it made
The marsh, the mounds, the dell
But on this autumn evening
I felt like I was lost
I did not recognize this field
Or the bridge that I'd just crossed
Or this house I was about to pass
Among the trees and vines
But I'm sure it must have been there
It must have been there all the time
I wanted to keep driving,
For I sensed it getting late
But I thought I heard a voice
Softly saying I should wait
My car pulled in the driveway
But I didn't steer it there
As least I don't think I did
My thoughts were not to clear
As I stopped to look a round
There was no one there to see
But some how I could hear
A child softly calling me
I couldn't help myself
I was drawn in by the voice
I tried to turn around
But I hadn't any choice
The House was very old
Yes, perhaps a hundred years
With every step I took
I had to wrestled with my fears
Up the stairs, along the porch
I made it to the door
Where I rung the bell one time
Then rung it just once more
There came a silent pause
Then the door began to creak
I wanted to call out
But I found I couldn't speak
I felt a force pulling me
As the door swung open wide
I didn't want to enter in
But I found myself inside
I didn't see a soul around
And walked deeper in the room
That's when the front door slammed so hard
Like the sealing of a tomb
I turned to grab the latch
But never made it to the door
Somehow I had tripped
Over something on the floor
I heard a haunting childish giggle
As I scrambled to my feet
And smelled an odor in the air
Of something sickening sweet
I hurried to a window
By the light of moon and stars
Escaping though was futile
For the windows all had bars
Then I notice in the hearth
There a spark and then a flame
The fireplace started roaring
As the voice called out my name
The fire seemed to leap
On a rug then to the drapes
It fanned out on the ceiling
Making shadows evil shapes
The laughter grew much louder
As the flames engulfed the place
And I swore I saw a young girl
With a bruised and battered face
So I went back to the door
And I pulled with all my might
But it didn't do much good
It was shut so very tight
The last thing I remembered
Was searching for a place
I could crouch down with my coat
To protect my arms and face
All I know from that time on
Is that I woke up with a jolt
I was sitting in my car once more
And still wearing my old coat
No, I didn't see a house
A driveway, or trace of fire
It simply seemed I'd driven
Off the road, and in the mire
I must have bumped my head
And imagined the whole thing
Now the dawn was quickly coming
As the birds began to sing
I got the car back on the road
I was glad to leave this place
Then I looked into the rear view mirror
That's when I saw the young girls face.
To Be Continued......................
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