Steve Brandenburg

GHOSTS OF OLD

An old stone house far out in the country
deserted and alone:
Such beauty it has
even though in disarray and decay.

Who lived here so long ago?
Why was it left to wither and one day fall?
Surely there were children that played in the yard
a team of horses to help till the fields.

What became of them
those that dwelt in this old house?
They just move on to let it rot?
Or did evil come too it one day?

You feel there is someone still here
but you know that isn’t right.
The old house has been abandoned for years
the plaster has fallen from the walls.

You walk away to your car and turn for one last look
and notice something strange.
Someone or something is watching from the upper window.
You wave and drive away, wondering.

©Copyright December 9, 2004 by Steve Brandenburg

Old house, half way between Topeka and Lecompton, in the Kansas River bottoms
Photograph ©Copyright mid 1970s by Steve Brandenburg