My mother sent me here to live for the fall, with my

Aunt Louise,

I do not know her very well, but she was always

Strange and mysterious.

blind since I was about five years old, I can’t

Recall what she looks like,

A huge castle of stone, in our family for centuries.

Through times of war,

old England, now surrounded by many new things

Of the modern age.

In this castle are antiques from a different time

In this world, old weapons,

Dungeons and secret room are here, stories told

To me by my grand father.

Very quiet here as I spend my time listening to the wind

And leaves falling,

Off to bed, upstairs, where the walls are thick, and tales

From the past.

Tonight will be dark, but for me every night holds

Darkness as I am blind,

Awaken do I to some eerie sounds from within

The walls, moaning, groaning.

I call for my aunt but not a response, my heart

Pounds, nervous am I,

Then again, more sounds are heard, whispering

Words into my sightless night.

I’m afraid! so very scared as now the sound of

Footsteps seem to be closer, I can’t see,

Who are you! I can’t see as the touch of something

Is upon me. I never had a chance to see.

Keith Garrett