I went wandering in the woods
Where the tallest trees have grown
When I came upon an old, abandoned house
With tall, ivy-covered walls of stone.
The windows had long since broken
The shards of glass scattered on the floor
and rust had crusted all the iron
upon the beautiful, thick, wooden door.
I walked through the garden
With its flowers long since overgrown
And when I pulled upon the door
It issued a load and anguished moan.
My feet left trails amid the dust
The walls were yellowed and bare
And in the room not a single thing
Except an old, broken, wooden, chair.
I meandered from the main room
And upon the kitchen stumbled
Next to the old cast iron stove
Part of the wall had crumbled.
I made my way up the stairs
That creaked and groaned with every step
In the first room I found nothing
But a small nest where a bird once slept.
Upon the landing I paused
With only one room left to see
And I thought about the other rooms
And wondered if empty it would be
My hand grasped the copper knob
It turned and opened with ease
And I stood shocked in the doorway
For what I saw made me freeze.
A little bed sat in the corner
The fabric all rotted away
And on the floor, covered by dust
Lay dolls ready for play.
And upon a tiny table
Sat a cute porcelain tea set
Cups and plates, set for four
One of which was a stuffed toy pet.
I left the room without entering
Not wishing to disturb the scene
For though the sight was very sad
It was also peaceful and serene.
I walked away through the woods
Leaving the abandoned house behind
Trying to think of other things
To drive it from my mind.
But I couldn't help but wonder
Who left the house so bare?
Emptied every room but one
As though the child still lived there.
I walked straight, not looking back
Until the house was blocked by trees
And until those last few moments
I felt someone watching me.
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