Beware: Do Not Enter

The hair on his arm bristled as the wind swept through the trees

carrying a whisper, a warning, on the breeze

*

No one knows the length one goes, to ensure that no one sees

the agony that summons death, from a dead man on his knees

Beware the path that leads the way to the cabin in the wood

make sure your choice is right because it will be yours for good

*

Reading the posted warning, his friends laughed and mocked the fates

They cleared the cobwebs on the latch and opened up the gate.

Not knowing they had stirred the soul of evil, dormant there

into the devil's hell on earth, an offering, without a prayer

*

Through the briar, impaired, they stumbled, caring not the path they tore

disparaging the posted signs, ridiculing its folklore

They could not see the trees before them, gathering around

walking through the forest with their roots above the ground

*

As they neared the little cabin the moon began to rise

appearing now to smile at them with red and glowing eyes

The wind began to blow and the crows began to murmur

turns out the song they sang was the forewarning of a murder

*

Still they cracked the seal and one by one entered the shack

with no idea they'd crossed a line and never could go back

The candles that they burned began to flicker in the room

an S.O.S. of sorts that they were about to meet their doom

*

The voices in the room began to seep into their heads

all at once they understood the meaning of impending dread

Little did they know that very soon they would be dead

and they'd wish it was a dream that they'd wake up from, in their beds

*

But, choices were made and deeds were done, setting the scene for their undoing

still unaware they sang and danced, while outside the air stopped moving

Save your confessions, the music blared, for repentance on the other side

no one is coming to save you, it's now your time to die

*

Writing appeared upon the wall that appeared to be in blood

a detailed listing of every transgression that they had ever done

Fingerprints soon lined the windows and the doors began to shake

they tried to convince themselves that this was all a big mistake

*

They scattered around the room like lost mice inside a maze

disoriented sacrifices with surprised fright upon their faces

Only now did they believe the warning posted on the gate

and as the evil filled the space, they knew, alas, it was too late

*

There was only one survivor, a witness who could tell the tale

the boy who tried to stop his friends, albeit to no avail

They locked him away, disclaiming the nightmare he described

to save the town from ruin and let them sleep in peace at night

*

But when the moon comes calling it looks for him inside that room

with a promise of it's returning to collect his spirit too

He sleeps with his eyes open, for as long as he can see

he is spared seeing them ravaged, but can always hear them scream

*

The town folk burned the cabin and buried what they could find

pieces and parts of bodies, entrails and tree limbs intertwined

The trees bore the scars and cinged bark, as they tried their best to hide

the way they were dismembered and just how many of them died

*

They've kept the secret of survival buried for years, under the trees

sacrificing as was needed to aptly satisfy their needs

So, keep your eyes on swivels and beware the roots under the leaves

cause the trees are always watching looking for another soul to reap