in fear of waking ghosts
in fear of waking ghosts
to step quietly on the bare floor in fear of waking ghosts
as soft footfalls sound echo aware of creaks and groans
ever so carefully shut the door must oil the hinge posts
the whisper turns to a bellow a chance casting of bones
to feel a brush of the passing hearts quiver and hesitate
hairs stand on end and tremble breathes held too long
yet still the spirits are massing too great to contemplate
genuflect to a godlike symbol praying to become strong
to inhale the dank dark scent to exhale the fetid breath
clutch secrets wary and furtive afraid to lower the mask
striking sparks from the flint stoked flames rise to a crest
left alive in the time recursive dormant gods silently ask
to bury souls in deeper graves and to leave all unmarked
evil takes whatever it craves as soon death has embarked