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......................