Halloween Sonnet

Creak, screech, squeak,

whispering sounds at night,

soft tapping footsteps after dark,

faraway laughter makes me halt in fright,

perhaps it is only a silly prank.

Floorboards sighing, humming softly,

a hand on my shoulder, light as a breeze

just a whiff of cold air, wet and musty,

makes the blood in my veins freeze.

The railing cold and slippery under my hand,

the stairs narrow and crooked and damp,

my legs move slowly heavy as lead,

if I’ll hear another noise I am ready to jump.

No one but me and them, voices at the dead of night,

footsteps in the dark, don’t let me go, hold me tight.