The wind blows through the trees,
ruffling the blanket of grass,
striking a path through the woods.
The path leads the way
to the house within,
to End House at Oasis.
THE DEAD GAME
He stands frozen before me.
A vision too hard to see.
My love is ice cold to the touch.
I’ve missed him so very much.
Who did this to him?
It’s a deadly sin.
Someone will surely pay for this tonight
at the party for a vampire’s delight.
A glass dome for the dancing pair,
twirl past statues with frozen hair.
My kiss lands on his cold lips
as I grasp his frozen hips.
He watches behind still blue eyes
as I bid my hasty goodbyes.
I will come back for him.
I won’t let evil win.
THE DEAD GAME by Susanne Leist
WE’RE HERE
A walk through the cemetery.
Darkness is my friend.
The moon my best buddy.
Shining stars to keep me company.
“Who goes there?”
A voice calls in the distance.
Is that the night watchman?
Has he seen somebody?
Should I continue walking?
All is quiet.
The mist moves.
It parts, and I can see—
What is that?
Skeletons are rising from graves.
And I can hear the music.
They are dancing to the beat.
Skulls are swiveling.
Bony feet are tapping.
Who knew a cemetery
could be such fun?
I can see you.
from inside the mirror.
I will come for you
when you least expect it.
Don’t let your guard down.
Don’t fall asleep.
For soon your life will be over.
You said the words,
“Bloody Mary.”
It’s now too late to take them back.
They are written in blood.
Your blood.
Bloody Mary is here to stay.
End House sits alone and deserted.
Shutters torn and hanging.
Furniture upended.
Shattered pictures.
Shattered dreams.
What happened to the family?
Open the door.
Walk up the battered staircase.
Past the broken statues.
A sigh follows my hesitant steps.
A wind whistles through the empty rooms.
Dust swirls in mounds on the wood floors.
A scream rips through the rooms below.
Has the family returned,
Or am I the next victim?
The sound of footsteps on the stairs.
I must run.
I must hide.
They’re back.
THE DEAD GAME
HE HAS COME FOR ME
Do my eyes deceive me?
Can this be true?
A creature is stalking me
Through the dark streets.
Eyes black as night,
Cries as soft as the wind,
Sharp claws tapping a sad melody.
It draws closer to me still.
The mansion’s gates yawn open.
My feet leave tracks in the mud,
Handprints where I fall in my haste.
Salty tears splash on the rocks.
The mansion waits in its dark glory
For the innocent and weary.
It sheds its shell like a caterpillar,
But no butterfly does it become.
The creature gains ground,
A stalker in its feline prance.
Whiskers pointed to the wind,
Skulking closer to me.
One last stumble for me
As my knees graze the rocks.
My fingers climb the steps,
Digging deep into the dirt.
I turn one last time.
The dark one stands up,
Reaching its full height.
On two feet it stands tall.
Yellow eyes glisten in the dark,
No whiskers to follow my scent.
White skin for black fur,
Laughter falls from his lips.
He has come for me,
Walking on muscled legs.
Sure and strong is his gait
For no more does he crawl.
“Come to me!” he says.
“No more games for us to play.”
His hand reaches for mine
As I back away from his touch.
“I refuse to belong to you.”
My voice shakes in despair.
I will not follow him
To the land of beyond.
The house swallows me whole.
A maze of rooms for shelter,
I am hidden inside its walls.
Darkness shields me from harm.
THE DEAD GAME
Who sits on my shelf
each night?
Who casts shadows
on my bedroom wall?
I move closer.
I must see what it is.
The head moves.
Its hood falls back.
A doll’s face appears.
A yellow glow
in the darkness.
Red eyes turn to me.
Burning a hole
through my heart.
Happiness is selling 10 books in one day! I’m afraid to go to sleep and miss anything. Have my dreams come true? Will the sales be there tomorrow?
I’m doing so well with teens! I’m not used to being happy. I’m waiting for the other shoe to fall.
Down the rabbit hole we go.
Far down beneath the earth’s surface.
Where The Dead wait for their savior.
Arms extended.
Reaching for us.
Mouths held open in silent cries.
As we fall farther.
Deeper.
Past the point of no return.
THE DEAD GAME by Susanne Leist
