WE HAVE TONIGHT
Dance with me tonight, my darling.
Ignore the evil grins surrounding us.
Let us sway with the music’s quick beat.
No one needs to see the fear I hide
as you twirl me around the dance floor.
A smile is plastered on my face.
My eyes glued to yours.
I know there will be a meeting tonight.
The evil players will be present.
The evil one will soon be revealed.
Don’t let it be you, my loved one.
THE DEAD GAME by Susanne Leist
Dance beneath the bright lights,
Past the lifelike statues,
Figures entombed in glass,
As the dance floor grows bigger.
The music quickens its beat.
Couples twirl in circles.
The clock strikes midnight.
Let the games begin.
THE DEAD GAME
Kindle
Nook
The dance floor is full.
The guests twirl between statues.
Sad expressions etched into faces.
Tears flow down frosty cheeks.
An undercurrent of evil lies
beneath the music and gaiety.
Time to leave the perfect guests
and the frozen smiles.
Time to escape if one can.
THE DEAD GAME
Put on your mask.
Dress in your gown.
Step into your party shoes.
The dance is about to begin.
Music fills the mirrored room.
The band picks up the beat.
Dancers swirl under glowing chandeliers.
Rainbows of light reflect off the walls.
The room enlarges to accommodate the dancers.
The clock strikes midnight.
The music stops.
The dancers stand still.
The Dead Game has begun.
THE DEAD GAME
e-e-r-i-n-e-s-s:
Nosferatu (1922)
The clock chimes midnight.
Time stands still.
The music stops.
Dancers freeze in place.
All is quiet.
The clock chimes twelve times.
The music resumes.
Dancing continues without a hitch.
The Dead have assumed control.
THE DEAD GAME has begun.
“Open the door and
Step inside.
The darkness beckons to you.
Welcome!”
The wind sighs its plaintive plea.
Cold air swooshes past my face.
“Do you hear the music?
A party is waiting for you in the drawing room.
Don’t be afraid.
Peek in.
Can you see the dancers?
Twirling around and around.
You can see through them?
Can’t you?
That’s because they’re transparent,
An echo from the distant past.
Those who lived here before
Who now inhabit this old house.”
A gowned figure of a woman turns to me.
The flesh slowly shrivels from her body,
Leaving behind a skeleton of bones.
She cackles, “You can now join us.”
Her hand reaches for me.
I turn to flee.
The windows and doors snap shut.
I jiggle the door handle.
Locked.
Trapped in the deep recesses
of my mind.
No escape.
TICK TOCK
Tick tock tick tock
Chimes the old clock.
Cold like a vault.
All dancers halt.
Evil so near.
The Dead are here.
Heads are rolling.
Game of bowling.
Midnight is here.
Nothing to fear.
THE DEAD GAME
