The thing in the Basement -- for iliana

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Susan
Member Ascendant

since 2004-03-27

Posts 5104
walking the surreal

0 posted 2004-06-30 08:15 PM

Must and mold and smells of old
Earth lined, cavernous, unfinished
Darkened steps steeply descend
Into mists of reason diminished

The door is closed, but still it lurks
You can hear its expectant breathing
Tingles run from toe to spine
As you know
       it is “you”
              it is needing

Night descends upon the house
Shadows cloaking pathways hidden
All others slumber in peace of mind
But to you the call of nature is bidding

But to reach said room one must trek
Past the stairway descending
And for that moment be aware
Of the possibility
        of “it”
               ascending

Grab your heart from within your throat
Thrust it back into your hollowed chest
Now march along as if all is calm
No trembling fear to wrest

Close the door, light is on
Big breath-- let in and out
Safe for now, but so short lived
As now you must turn about

Still the hands, stifle the tremor
There is nothing there at all
Walk out that door, turn off the light
Hold your head aloft and tall

Careful steps, slowly taken
Do not reveal your care
Foot steps fall in chosen pace
Past that hole beneath the stair

Round the corner, still alert
To the presence that lingers heavy
Just a few steps more, courage now
Keep those footsteps steady

Goosebumps jump across my skin
I can feel its shape ascending
Now I race the dead of night
Sound of heart beat crescending

In my room, slam the door
Jump upon the bed
Blankets pulled in hurried heap
Encompassed in protective stead

Sanctuary found at last
Against the nameless dread
Be still my heart, 'tis nothing true
Just fanciful imaginings within the head

Or is it . . .

S.A.T.

Truth, jo.  'til the day I moved out, I always felt the creeps walking by the basement.  It was more like a root cellar, and it was spooky.  Had a nightmare about it as a kid, about a thing in the basement and fleeing with my family in the middle of the night before it could get us.  No problems in the day, but at night . . .  And the children's bathroom was at the end of the hall just past the hole that held the steps that led to the basement.  Wrote a short story of it once.  Spoooooky.

Happiness isn't something that happens to you, it's created from within you.  Joy is a state of mind.

[This message has been edited by Susan (07-01-2004 05:53 PM).]

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

1 posted 2004-06-30 08:24 PM

Yes! Spooooooky, Susan. I could feel it. Sometimes, our sixth senses know more than we do, I think. We had a root cellar, too, and it was cold and spooky -- I think that's where all our ghosts liked to hang out. hehehe Really good poem and thank you.

.....jo

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

2 posted 2004-06-30 08:46 PM

I just had to rub the goosebumps off my arms! Brought back several spooky moments I have had in several of our family homes. Two were definitely haunted. My brother's house had several ghostly inhabitants. One was a little boy who had fallen off the roof onto the rod iron spires of the surrounding fence. A soldier who died during the War of 1812. A boy who was hit by a car in front of the hundred-old-house. A man in a cape and top hat who walked from room to room during the night. And a baby that cried in the attic.

Our old family homestead was built over 200 years ago and the spirits were restless. It had servant's quarters. Two spiral staircases and a secret staircase. Every bedroom had stain-glassed windows and a fireplace. It had 2 grand pianos, a library, a funeral room...and a root cellar! Need I say more!!!

Then both of my grandmother's homes had root cellers! The cold storage in my present house is somewhat lacking in atmosphere! ~ Thank goodness!

Ooops! Looks like your poem spawned some spooky memories for me!

EA

miscellanea
Member Elite

since 2004-06-24

Posts 4060
OH

3 posted 2004-06-30 09:33 PM

Susan,
I really liked reading your poem. My grandmother's house always seemed haunted to me... I could never sleep when I stayed over there. This brings back memories!
miscellanea

Susan
Member Ascendant

since 2004-03-27

Posts 5104
walking the surreal

4 posted 2004-07-01 12:35 PM

Thanks for sharing in the fun.  I love ghost stories.

jo, I think you are right about the sixth sense thing, ooooh shivers.  My sister's also felt something similar, though I did not know this until I was grown.  They were out of the house by the time I was a child old enough to notice.  I'm glad you liked my story.

Earth Angel -- wow, what a cool place to have grown up.  Talk about an author's dream house!  Inspiration lurking around every corner.  Too cool!  Thanks for sharing.

Miscellanea, funny how a place has an aura about it, isn't it?  Sleep tight tonight, okay?

Hugs to all -- Susan

Happiness isn't something that happens to you, it's created from within you. Joy is a state of mind.

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

5 posted 2004-07-01 03:48 AM

*shivers*

Ericc
Member Elite

since 2003-01-31

Posts 4178

6 posted 2004-07-01 02:50 PM

Wow...this really captures a
thrill-bump moment in time!

Eric

Susan
Member Ascendant

since 2004-03-27

Posts 5104
walking the surreal

7 posted 2004-07-01 03:21 PM

Passing Shadows -- here's a warm blankie to still those shivers

Eric, I'm glad you enjoyed the ride

Hugs all -- Susan

Happiness isn't something that happens to you, it's created from within you. Joy is a state of mind.

inkedgoddess
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-11-19

Posts 7392
Ohio

8 posted 2004-07-01 04:13 PM

you did capture this perfectly..

Susan
Member Ascendant

since 2004-03-27

Posts 5104
walking the surreal

9 posted 2004-07-01 11:19 PM

dear inked one, thank you kindly -

Susan

Happiness isn't something that happens to you, it's created from within you. Joy is a state of mind.

Magnus

Member Laureate

since 2001-10-10

Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

10 posted 2004-07-03 02:34 PM

Icabod Crane and the Headless Horseman
can't hold a candle to you and this awesome
and spooky write....Amazing, isn't it?
That which the mind creates....or does it?

Susan
Member Ascendant

since 2004-03-27

Posts 5104
walking the surreal

11 posted 2004-07-03 02:39 PM

Magnus --

Thank you, what high compliments. The headless horseman was always a favorite of mine.

Susan

Happiness isn't something that happens to you, it's created from within you. Joy is a state of mind.

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