Outside the skies were growing dark,
as black clouds turned day into night.
A thunderstorm brewed up above,
furious winds made birds take flight.
Upon my window, pounding rain,
obscured my vision of the yard.
Our ancient oak tree creaked and moaned,
but stood steadfast and on its guard.
The house across the street was dark,
save for a single candle glow.
It's empty, haunted some folks say,
the truth of it, I just don't know.
Still, candlelight moved through the rooms,
my curiosity was strong.
I bravely pulled my raincoat tight,
across the street, I sallied on.
The pungent smell, wet dirt and grass,
mixed in with ozone laden air.
The wind and the torrential rain,
quickened my pace, arriving there...
I pushed open the unlocked door,
and through the gloom I saw the light.
It darted to the left of me,
and suddenly, then to the right.
A young girl stood candle in hand,
a frightened look upon her face.
A spirit, but I felt no fear,
just sad that she dwelled in this place.
She spoke in whispers barely heard,
she needed to find family.
And I would be the one to lead,
I think that it was meant to be.
Her tiny hand ensconced in mine,
the cemetery up ahead.
Our destination, it was clear,
a mausoleum for the dead.
Taken so young, deathly disease,
other too, perished from that dread.
No cure two hundred years ago,
bodies were burned to stop the spread.
Her family was spared from her fate,
all buried in the family tomb.
The girl turned 'round, tears in her eyes,
and asked me, "Might there be some room?"
"Hurry along, your family waits",
and then the young ghost with no fear,
walked slowly to that house of stone,
I watched, and saw her disappear.
No candle now moves through the rooms,
a child's spirit was put to rest.
A house not haunted anymore,
a fact to which I can attest.
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