Home » Poems » Bj Legros Kelley » The Watcher from the Door

The Watcher from the Door




                           I saw the elfin man stand

                           All night, stood by my door

                           Too terrified to cry out,

                           For my Mother to implore

                           
                           My head, unsteady 

                           With the flu

                           My heart beat it

                           To flame

                          
                           And there I lay 

                           Too scared

                           To cry...to scream...

                           My voice had fallen lame.

                                       
                          That elfin...little green man

                          All night... held me in sway
                           
                          My gaze he kept, as fever leapt

                          I prayed God, for the day

                           

                          He stood...
                          
                          Just stood there,

                          Facing me, but who he was

                          I couldn't see...

                          
                          My burning temples

                          ...sick, sick, sick...

                          The clocks dull moments

                          ...tick, tick, tick...
 
                          Beat away the long night

                          Held in horror at his sight

                           
                          Flames ebbed in

                          Streaming droplets

                          That gripped me 

                          Near breath's flight
                         
                          Chills shook me long, 

                          Fears took me...
                           
                          Throughout that hellish night


                          He stood there simply watching me...

                          Waiting to snatch my soul...

                          To exit me through life's door,
 
                          Into deep and dark sheol...


                          I terror struck just lay there
 
                          Had I but courage to explore,

                          Or loose my stricken parched tongue,

                          For "Mother!!!"...to implore
                          
                         
                          Greying dawn brought tears to ease

                          My burning, straining eyes  

                          When God turned on His lantern,

                          There, much to my surprise...
                            
                         
                          That greenish thing

                          Now lost his sting, 

                          No Elf, as I'd believed

                         An empty green pop bottle,

                                        And

                         My childish heart relieved

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Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 2/23/2024 7:12:00 AM

Fun tale of those shadowy creepies that hover when we feel ill and vulnerable Betty Jo. Perfect! hugs :)

Judy Ball

Date: 12/14/2023 5:30:00 PM

A great story my friend. I remember my mom had the flu once and said she could see little animals with two and three heads playing at the foot of her bed. A fine write and I hope you never get that sick again. God Bless and Merry Christmas, JB

Tom Woody

Date: 12/4/2023 2:38:00 PM

Nice levity at the end Bj. Thx for supporting the contest

Ink Empress

Date: 11/25/2023 4:36:00 AM

What a brilliant and thought provoking write. You have a way with writing in a very descriptively detailed manner that flows in such eloquence, leaving your readers intrigued, i felt so much as i read this. For a minute i thought that would be how anyone with a panic attack and fever would feel like they are finally about to exit. The ending was brilliant too. A pleasure reading this. Sending you light today and always

Valsa George

Date: 11/22/2023 8:14:00 AM

Until I read the last line, I too was confused. When we have high fever, sometimes we grow delirious. The panic and anxiety at such weird sight is so well expressed, dear B.J.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 11/18/2023 7:14:00 PM

Terrific narrative, BJ. Had me on the edge of my seat. FAVE-time for me. Thanks!!!

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 11/18/2023 11:59:00 PM

Thank you Gershon (I curtsey and take a bow :) That was indeed a long, long night in my childhood! I would have thought it all worth it to have such high praise, as I never even dreamt I would share the experience with anyone, let alone in a poetic stage such as this poetry site :) Your fave is an absolute honor to me! :)

Sotto Poet

Date: 11/18/2023 5:54:00 AM

BJ, your storytelling skills are genuinely exceptional, leading to an enthralling peak. Your probe of the enigmatic subject of the nighttime, producing a sense of curiosity and mystery, is impressive. Enjoyed reading your stories.

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 11/18/2023 5:40:00 PM

Thank you Sotto, I am so honored. I came over to your site and was so very charmed by your exquisite poetry. You are destined for greatness my friend! Your comments bless me so very much! Have a wonderful weekend Sotto.

Bill Baker

Date: 11/17/2023 9:16:00 PM

A wonderfully told story with a great ending, BJ. You can really tell a tale, my friend. I enjoyed it very much. Your poet friend in Texas, Bill

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 11/17/2023 10:53:00 PM

Thank you, Bill, I always appreciate your visits and encouraging words :)

Daniel Turner

Date: 11/17/2023 7:47:00 PM

things that go bump in the night! A most enjoyable read, BJ. You are quite the storyteller:)

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 11/17/2023 8:23:00 PM

Well, it was actually a true story, lol! I was nine years old and caught the Hong Kong Flu. I slept on the couch in the living room as to not get my little sister ill, I was so very sick! My brother must have set that pop bottle by the door to take back for his 3c deposit the next day, lol. That was one heck of a night!