The Haunted Castle

by Richard H. Fay

I lie brooding atop this lonely motte.

My vacant stare surveys the land below

While my long shadow casts an eldritch chill

Over barren field and abandoned cot.

No living man dwells within sight of me;

I am the fortress of the restless dead.

-

I lie wrapped in dismal desolation.

Empty towers stand guard ’round roofless hall,

Mossy green mantles cloak crumbling ramparts,

Marshy reeds clog stagnantly muddy moat.

Bailey gardens where bright flowers once bloomed

Now sprout thorny brambles and wiry bines.

-

I lie shrouded in obfuscating mists.

Damp walls exude a choking miasma,

Dank dungeons reek of mouldering decay,

Deepest gloom defeats daylight’s warming gleam.

Night’s sinister folk reside within me,

Sheltered from the glaring face of the Sun.

-

I lie open to ghostly mysteries.

Phantom laird holds court in spectral splendour;

Noble corpses join cadaverous maids

Spinning raggedly across rotted floor.

Stern wraiths patrol above that ghastly fete

Guarding against all mortal intrusions.

-

I lie under a diabolic curse.

Dark stones bear witness to ghoulish secrets;

Grim holes echo with the cries of the damned.

Savage spirits torture imprisoned souls;

Wretched shades scream out in eternal pain.

Human fools who enter here face madness

And death.

About the Author

Richard H. Fay currently resides in upstate New York with his wife, daughter, two cats, and a rather confused shepherd-chow mix. Formerly a laboratory technician turned home educator, Richard now spends his days juggling various writing and art projects. History, myth, legend, and folklore all serve as inspiration for his creative endeavours. Many of the fruits of his labour have appeared in various e-zines, print magazines, and anthologies. Other examples of Richard’s work can be seen on his web site Azure Lion Productions.

©2009 Richard H. Fay