The Mystery of Old Man Garrity's House

DENOUEMENT

This is a tale that will scare you a bit,
it's about a rickety old house built near a pit,
the house belonged to old man Garrity,
who didn't believe in banks or parity.

He threw all his garbage into the fathomless hole,
everything from paper, plastic and whatever he stole,
if a pet ended up missing and never could be found,
more than likely it was hurled into the opening of the ground.

The house and its lofty attic stood three stories tall,
over time it kept leaning as if it was ready to fall,
the structure kept creaking and moaning for years,
it gave the neighbors shudders and fears.

On its front porch there were three rocking chairs,
they were known to rock by themselves raising some hairs,
sometimes in the evening cloudy shapes could be seen,
looking like women from long ago if your eyes were keen.

On a windy day the residents nearby heard a thunderous crash,
old man Garrity's house fell into the pit as if it was trash,
along with him buried under the pit of rubble,
he disappeared forever with all his strange trouble.

This eerie story is not quite over for there is more to tell,
on the anniversary of the destruction a sound of a bell
peals throughout the street reminding all of the odd event
that occurred on that infamous day and what it meant.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Neumann Avatar
August 25, 2016 at 2:45 AM
Great. you made me - laugh - actually. I knew a guy like that and it was not a laughing matter, but you lightened the load in your poetry. Kai
Walker Avatar
August 25, 2016 at 8:10 AM
Kai, when I was growing up back East, there was a rickety old house within our neighborhood which made us kids spooky each time we passed by it. Thank you for your positive review. ~ Sonia
Negron Flores Avatar
August 24, 2016 at 3:04 PM
Congratulations Sonia on the placement of the contest.
Walker Avatar
August 24, 2016 at 7:15 PM
Nayda, thank you for selecting my poem, 'The Mystery of Old Man Garrity's House' as a placement within your contest. It certainly is an honor. ~ Sonia
Kimathi Avatar
July 7, 2016 at 2:51 PM
Congrats Sonia, for your placement with this mysterious, captivating, rhythmic piece!! ;-)
Walker Avatar
July 7, 2016 at 5:04 PM
Teddy, I am truly humbled by this placement. Thanks again for your encouraging words. ~ Sonia
Negron Flores Avatar
July 6, 2016 at 6:26 PM
Congratulations Sonia on the placement of the contest.
Walker Avatar
July 6, 2016 at 6:48 PM
Nayda, how kind of you to comment on my poem. Thank you, Sonia.
Rycroft Avatar
July 6, 2016 at 3:04 PM
Well written tall Tale great write xxxx
Walker Avatar
July 6, 2016 at 3:12 PM
Wendy, your enthusiasm for my scary tale of a poem is greatly appreciated. ~ Sonia
Walker Avatar
July 6, 2016 at 3:08 PM
Bob, today is your day to shine. Thank you for enjoying the old man Garrity poem. At least some likes the curmudgeon. Happy Wednesday, Bob. ~ Sonia
Eastman Avatar
July 6, 2016 at 10:33 AM
A Very great and well written piece. Congratulations on the win.
Walker Avatar
July 6, 2016 at 10:42 AM
Carol, your comment is so kind. Old Man Garrity thanks you as well. ~ Sonia
Y. Avatar
July 6, 2016 at 9:42 AM
Hi Sonia, I enjoyed reading your "spooky" tall tale. Congrats on your win. It was well deserved:-) Alexis
Walker Avatar
July 6, 2016 at 10:47 AM
Alexis, I felt scared when I wrote this poem. Seriously, I thank you for your positive response and support. ~ Sonia
Lamoureux Avatar
July 6, 2016 at 8:06 AM
For me this was one of the best tall tales. Congrats.
Walker Avatar
July 6, 2016 at 11:02 AM
Richard, I am grateful for your lofty response to my tall tale. I enjoy telling stories on an improvisational level around glowing campfires when camping in the woods of Idaho. Humbly, Sonia.
Day Avatar
July 6, 2016 at 3:10 AM
Congrats on your win in the "Tell a Tall Tale" contest - enjoyed the spooky story and the use of couplets! - Jesse
Walker Avatar
July 6, 2016 at 11:55 AM
Jesse, thank you for the opportunity to enter your contest. Also, for considering my poem as one of the winners. I appreciate what you are doing for our community of poets. ~ Sonia, a humble poet.
Bennett Avatar
April 25, 2016 at 10:56 PM
A nicely done rhyme with a bit of a twist. I liked it.
Walker Avatar
April 25, 2016 at 11:34 PM
I'm glad you enjoyed this poem. It was scary to write. ~ Sonia
Walker Avatar
April 25, 2016 at 1:21 PM
Thank you for your kind review. When I grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, our neighborhood had a similar house compared to old man Garrity's place. Frankly, it scared us as children each time we passed it. The house also looked rickety and was ready to fall apart at the seams. ~ Sonia
Babbit Avatar
April 25, 2016 at 11:29 AM
I know that house except we called Old Lady Galida's house and she and her husband had once owned all the land on our town. Thanks for the recall. Enjoyed your poem. DMB
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