The Old Scary Lady

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I remember her house on 58th Street,
always dark, always black curtains,
the smell of mothballs and cobwebs
seeping through the door.

Some said she was a witch.
Some said her children had died.
Some said a boy had gone missing
and was locked in her closet.
We never knew if it was true.

She had a dog, Boy Dog,
scruffy, growling, lurking by the porch.

In autumn, walking home from school,
I’d get up the nerve and pass her house,
sometimes catching her in the upstairs window,
all in black, watching, smiling.

One afternoon, we knocked on her door,
heart hammering, voices shaking.
She answered, said she needed to grab her sweater.
She came back out, hands empty, eyes wide.
“I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do,” she said,
raising her hands and walking toward us.

We ran, heart pounding,
like we were trying out for the track team.

And sometimes, just sometimes,
I wonder if she was laughing,

Author's Note

Some poems are better heard than read.
I recently recorded a long-form reading from my book Sleep Always Calls.

Listen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH0fSZlrjno

My Books are available on Amazon.
— Thomas W. Case

Reviews

[red93]

Nice piece of recollection Thomas. Living as I am currently in Temps Accomms, I often wonder what the neighbours must think of having a group of outcasts on their doorstep. But I notice in this memoir that it was the kids who made the first move and knocked on the 'scary lady's' door. That would never happen in an area like Fishponds, Bristol, UK. You paint this scene well ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Thomas W Case]

Yes. It makes you wonder.

[Rosie C]

Hmmmm, sounds very American.

I could be wrong. I could be misguided.

Interesting experience, a slight light hearted horror.

Different and Strangely humorous. I did like it.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

[John the Baptist]

An amusing incident from youth here. Odd how elderly shut ins can become negative urban legends for youth. I wonder if any of the kids grew up to be old and scary themselves.

[Thomas W Case]

lol. Makes you wonder.

[Desert Knave]

Described so well that I could definitely see myself running in terror as a kid. Yeah, knew an old man near me that was just too spooky. Enjoyable piece. ~Jim

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, my friend.