HAUNTED HOUSE

HAUNTED HOUSE

my finger runs across the banister

up to the door

the paint flaking off

the gold knob tarnished

and window covered in cobwebs

slowly turning the knob

the door creaks open

lights flicker

as I enter

dragging my fingers across the dusty end table

where my keys go

and your picture sits

guarding them

spiders skitter across the floor

into the kitchen

across yellow caution tape

burning sage and your strawberry perfume linger

your bookshelf sits empty

at the end of the hallway

well almost

a silver box sits

on the sagging middle shelf

sparkling

taking the steps up to the attic

where the mice chew on the corners of the boxes

opening the boxes

the pictures pristine

taking the boxes downstairs

putting your smile

on every table

placing lilies

between each

the couch sits facing the kitchen

the doorway blackened

the cushion faded and dented

I sit down

and drift away

a cold breeze carries strawberries on it

a warmth wraps around me

as I hear the bookshelf snap

a metal thud hitting the ground

you're scattered across another floor