The Specter

A little humorous gothic-type horror.

The Specter

 

Upon the cob-webbed shelf,

Within this ghastly mansion,

I spy the ancient tome

And wrestle it from its station.

A thunderous drop upon the table

Lets fly dust from eons past.

I open the volume with intrepid strength

Knowing words read within could be my last.

A tale spews so macabre

Of the specter that haunts these halls

In which I am but an interloper,

An intruder come to call.

Not a thief of items I claim to be,

But of knowledge and things that are.

So I sit within this candlelight

Reading stolen passages of things bizarre

As the hours climb throughout the night

And the story unfolds with its twisted take,

I feel the presence of one from beyond.

Come to spy on this foolish rake.

In conjunction with the lines I read,

Towards me, I feel it make its way.

And the room is suddenly chilled

As I turn another page of this dossier.

Unanticipated, a ghostly hand rests

Upon my goose-fleshed nape.

I feel its hand's feathery weight

And its skeletal shape.

A breath, cat-like, creeps from the apparition

Turning my blood so much colder.

I look from the book toward the fiend and scream,

 

"STOP READING OVER MY SHOULDER!".

 

The room is tranquil once again,

As I resume my perusal.

No specter to pester me anymore,

Gone with its fear of my refusal.

 

Legion

(20Oct01)

Reviews

[Jacob Clifford]

Very nicely done! Initially full of typical darkness but then with the dash of humor shattering the atmosphere and creating an entirely new one. Expertly handled.

[Twilight]

I certainly like the sense of humour in this poem, Legion! Basically, it seems to be a parody of some of the cliche concepts which people know well. Interestingly, despite the humour, you have somehow managed to include a little atmosphere and sense of creeping terror! Thankyou!

[Dani California]

This was indeed creepy ... it sent shivers once the writer feels the ghost touch his neck... ahh! But, then -- the writer yells at the ghost -- I giggle -- the ghost leaves because the writer scared it away -- lol

Such awesome rhythm and rhyme. Great imagery. Loved it!!

[Sean M. Addams]

very well done I agree with Fran this does have a little touch of edgar allan poe in it... very fun read and the darkness is almost playful in this overall .... great job on this!!!

[Fran Marie]

A Deliciously Dark and descriptive flowing tale you tell my friend~ I felt as tho~ I was reading E.A. Poe himself~A very well Crafted and Chilling to the bone write with the right touch of humor~THanks for entering this in my contest~Fran Marie