Do you have dreams about the home you grew up in? I can see my childhood home in my mind. The typical three bedroom west coast rambler; living area on one side and a looong hallway to the bedrooms on the other. As a young kid I was pretty sure the place was haunted. The creaky floor didn’t help.
Ghost in the Hall
by Shannon Laws
Odd Little Things, published 2014
When I was a child A Skeleton Ghost would walk
The bedroom hall of our home
Afraid of the dark I would sleep with the light on
My door open just enough to keep out the trouble
Ghosts are everywhere when you are four.
Often the ghost would wiggle its way past my door
Steps heard creaking across loose boards
Creak. Creak. Creak.
Down the hall slowly it walked Skeleton heading for the kitchen
To fill up its ribs with mom’s pork chops
Then fiddle its way back to bed After the meal was consumed
One scary night before this mystery was solved
I slept between my parents for protection
Bookends of adult and authority on either side
Defense from anything ghoulish
Each parent rolled over facing the walls
As I lay blinking at the ceiling.
2 a.m. is Skeleton’s supper time
Down it came toward my parents’ room
Bones walk lightly when there is no moon
Closer. Closer. Closer.
From the ceiling my eyes followed
To see what stood at the foot of the bed
Its frame wiggled trying to materialize
To grab hold of me with solid hands
Dad sighed in his sleep and the ghost misted away.
Scared off by the possibility of his waking
I waited. Waited. Waited.
My father was a quiet man, little brought out
his anger, looking back I think dad was
The Skeleton Ghost walking the halls at night
His spirit jumping out, looking for food for his soul
Wandering around for morsels of encouragement
His bony frame proved little return
Wherever he is, I hope there is a table before him
Every morning set with enlightenment, curiosity, love
I hope he found peace because
With one soft growl
One scary night
He save my life
You can get your copy of Odd Little Things from
independent book store Village Books
https://www.villagebooks.com/book/9798743768806
shannon p. laws 