Haunted

The halls cast shadows,

Somehow the house becomes alive,

Not breathing mind you,

But it buzzes like a hive.

I’m laying in bed,

The sheets pulled up to my chin,

I shiver in dread,

Let the haunting begin.

A creak from the bathroom,

A drawer opens by itself,

Something else clatters,

Falling off a shelf.

I take in a sharp breath,

Hold it in until it burns,

Something walks into the room unseen,

I frightfully try to discern.

A shadow plagues against the wall,

It glides til it’s at the side of my bed,

I tremble and try not to scream,

It’s floated right next to my head.

Out of the corner of my eye

I watch it, I dare it to attack,

I watch as my radio moves by itself,

Until it falls to the floor with a smack.

The shadow lingers as if challenging me,

I close my eyes and beg for it go,

I wish I could afford to leave this place,

But I can’t, I know.

I wait a good ten minutes,

Then I squint one eye open to peek,

I think the shadow is gone,

Until from the kids’ room comes a shriek.

I bolt out of bed and run

As fast as I can,

The girls are huddled on the bottom bunk,

Shivering, wrapped in an Afghan.

I scan the room, but see nothing,

I go to them and tell them it will be okay,

But I have to wonder,

Do I even believe what I say?