The Haunted House

Some time had passed since I traveled this street And arrived at the house that had been so sweet Where children had danced and roses had grown And my family and I had made it our home. But I found the house was falling apart. The roses were dead, the windows were dark. The front yard was filled with strangling weeds, Overgrown bushes and almost dead trees. The last family there had a dear child die, And so to the house bid a hasty goodbye. I looked at the ruined home I adored And resolved to have its life restored. The front door was locked, but I knew an old trick, The back door would open with a right-handed flick. I quietly pushed it ajar just a crack, Then slowly pressed it all the way back. I entered the house, stepping with care, But needn't have feared for no one was there. The rooms were all empty, no possessions were seen, Yet everywhere was white, and everything was clean, The ceilings, the walls, cabinets and floors, Carpets, sheer curtains, woodwork and doors. I roamed through the rooms inspecting the site, And found all the house as blindingly bright. The room I had used was the one entered last Anticipating finding memories of the past. Hastily flinging the door open wide, I froze on the spot seeing what was inside. A young girl sat perched on the long window seat Gazing outside at the faraway street. Dressed in a white gown, like the sheer curtains blowing, She turned slowly toward me, her long brown hair flowing. On seeing her face, I started to reel, My legs became weak, I started to keel. I still couldn't move, though I wanted to flee, For staring ahead, I was looking at me. The apparition glided through the white, white room, Enfolded me in her arms and said, "Welcome home." Contest: The Haunted House Sponsor: Dear Heart 8/28/18