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Trillium
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Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA

0 posted 2001-04-07 07:02 PM


The ghost town bakes beneath the sun.
The cabins, weathered.  Lizards run
before my footsteps in the sand.
I look around.  From where I stand,
up on a hill nearby, I see
an open door move stealthily.
It sends a frisson up my spine.
I wonder if it is a sign
that restless spirits linger still
and haunt that place atop the hill?
There is no sound.  A vagrant breeze
could move old, wooden doors like these,
but I can feel no moving air
nor see that there is wind up there.
Then I decide that I'll be bold.
I'll climb that hill and take a hold
of silly flights of fancy, so
I'll know for sure, before I go,
there is no one around but me.
Perhaps some animal might be
inside the house, where shelter may
provide some respite from the day,
But when I step up to the door,
there's only emptiness, no more.
No footsteps on the threshold show.
There is something in there though.
A mournful presence I can sense.
I feel myself grow cold and tense,
yet no hostility's made known.
No rattling chains, no plaintive moan,
But I leave quickly just the same.
I know McGregor was his name!

Previously published in Best of Rhyme Time and Bristol Banner Books
Betty Lou Hebert

[This message has been edited by Trillium (edited 04-07-2001).]

© Copyright 2001 Betty Lou Hebert - All Rights Reserved
Joyce Johnson
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Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
1 posted 2001-04-07 09:11 PM


I like this.  There is something scary about an abandoned house.  Joyce
Trillium
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Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
2 posted 2001-04-07 10:33 PM


Thanks Joyce.  We lived in a ghost town in Nevada, my husband, two sons and I, for over 5 years.  This cabin was there and it was a mysterious place.  The door opened and closed all by itself.  We told ourselves it was air currents but?

Betty Lou Hebert

coyote
Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 1077

3 posted 2001-04-07 11:35 PM


There are no truer temperate toasts,
than speak of Scots who are now ghosts.

Thanks, Betty Lou.  

"I hate quotes, they suck!"
I.G. Norance

2dalimit
Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228
Mississippi coast
4 posted 2001-04-08 08:05 AM


Spooky. McGregor's gone, but not forgotten.
I liked the story.
Melton

William P Bussey
Member
since 2000-02-26
Posts 188

5 posted 2001-04-08 08:53 AM


Outstanding, I have been in those places when I was a lad, never felt that feeling, but did wonder who had been there before, I was to young to appreciate what it was saying.
Trillium
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Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
6 posted 2001-04-08 05:24 PM


Thank you all for reading and taking time to comment on this.  

Betty Lou Hebert

Red_Feather
Member
since 2001-01-19
Posts 131
The Vagabond Sea
7 posted 2001-04-10 12:01 PM


I have felt the feeling and you captured it well i think. The rush and tingle of such a brush are unique and sometimes unmistakably real.

One's not half two it's two are halves of one EE Cummings

Trillium
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Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
8 posted 2001-04-10 12:34 PM


Red_Feather:  Thanks for your comments.  This was a cabin in a ghost town in Nevada. My husband and I and two sons, were the only inhabitants for 5-1/2 years.  Had some strange experiences there.

Betty Lou Hebert

Andrew Scott
Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA
9 posted 2001-04-11 08:06 PM


Ahhh, I love places like this... call me strange but I like walking through cemetaries and "ghost towns"... old places in general.  Enjoyed the feel of this one.
Trillium
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Member Patricius
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Idaho, USA
10 posted 2001-04-11 08:08 PM


Thanks Andrew!

Betty Lou Hebert

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