REALMS OF REASON, INSANITY, MAGIC & MACABRE

Don't Look Back

I Should Have Been a Better Man I. Suddenly the door swung open and revealed a darkened hall. There was nothing standing on the other side as I lay frozen upon the bed. Whose hand had turned the knob and pulled the door crashing to the wall? Whose breath was so powerful to push to the fore, revealing nothing but the dead? II. As suddenly as it had opened wide to reveal the darkness looming there, It shut with a slamming that most assuredly woke everyone from their sleep! No one seemed to notice; no one here cried out into the night in fear ‘Twas only I who took note of this thing; ‘tis only I who had a secret to keep. III. Things moved across table tops, the mirrors cracked and rugs twirled upon the floor. Surely my imagination was not so rich as to purchase such visions as these. There was something here with me that had entered through that door… Someone who knew all along; had no need of locks and even less a need of keys. IV. Begone! I screamed to what I could...

THE AUTUMN VEIL Illustrations by Roger Hodge* There is a chill in the room today.  Autumn makes a grand entrance as she dances upon the mist and beats her tambourine.  Round and round she spins in twirls, swirls, dips, and lifts; the rustle of her colorful skirt illuminated by the morning sun.  I watch from the window. The pane rattles with anticipation as she rustles by, playing peek-a-boo with the lace curtains hanging there.  I hear the hushed whispers, telling secrets and then, the howling laughter. A shiver runs the length of my spine. Where is my shawl…?  Who? She asks as she taps at my door. Whooooo?  I don’t remember. Something stops me cold as I step toward the threshold; wanting to open it for her but dread fills my veins and I am frozen in fear.  I don’t know who. I only know the room is becoming colder, musty and damp. Again I feel the icy fingers running up and down my back; I shiver.  From behind my veil,...