1/20/11

Late one night as I was treading, on a path with no sure heading,

Down a dark and stagnant street beneath a curtain-veil of gloom,

Suddenly, emerged a mansion, long forgotten and abandoned.

Dark and empty, but for one lit window in the tower room.

Strange, I thought, that I might spy, in such an odd locale, a light,

With all the house unlit it seemed unfit to find one room possessed.

Then upon the moaning wind, I thought I heard a rising din,

A clamoring of angry voices, filling me with deep unrest.

At this time, you must believe, I had the strongest urge to leave,

"'Tis none of my concern" I thought- yet curiosity prevailed,

Suddenly, I heard a crashing. Fragile, glass-like sounds of smashing,

And above it all, there came a terrifying, mournful wail.

Fixed upon the window sash, I craned my neck and tried to catch,

A glimpse of shadow through the blinds that might connect with what I'd heard,

All for nought, my sight caught nothing, but my ears could hear a thumping,

Or was it the sound of gunshot as I backed away unnerved?

Though unraveled, pale and shaking, still I watched. Was there mistaking,

This for some small celebration? Revelers, rejoicing high?

Came a voice as if responding, all my hopefulness absconding,

From the window, crying out one chilling, desperate, query: "why?!"

How should I hope to address, this strange perceived call of distress?

Should I retreat or should I meet my fate and bravely charge inside?

But my panicked indecision, seemed to be met with derision-

Sharp and mocking laughter as the window blinds began to rise.

There from where I stood, I peered, and saw each detail, crystal clear,

Then turned, and walked back home, and went to bed, and there I slept till noon.

Unless you imagine that I saw the death of some stray cat,

Forever you shall wonder hence, what happened in the tower room