When the McCullys moved into the house in Whiting
Valley, there was one peculiar room.
While the rest of the place was inviting
and cheery, the den oozed gloom.
___
Daniel and Sue certainly found the room dank
and chilly, as did little Claire.
Young Ben, though just a toddler, claimed it stank
of yuck. It was true, to be fair.
___
But Gus the cat, well, he simply refused
to enter, not even for a mouse.
Last, there was Molly, apparently confused
about avoiding the spookiest room in the house.
___
One day Molly, as Ben said, was “explorian”
about in the mildewy dark place.
She found a planchette and an antique Victorian
Ouija board in a secret, hidden space.
___
Molly convinced little sister Claire to partake
in a “game” where spirits could express.
Fingers lightly atop, the planchette began to shake
and skitter, spelling B – R – I – N – G – M – E – G – U – S.
___
It was a bit of a struggle, it took some sneaking,
pouncing, and trapping him under the bed.
They brought Gus in the den mewling, freaking
out, and hissing, then he keeled over dead.
___
The girls were shocked and so they decided
it might be best to avoid the spirit guide.
They replaced the board in the hidey-hole and never confided
to their parents about how Gus really died.
___
Many months passed until their parents found
in the space they thought unexplored.
Daniel and Sue were cleaning around
the den and, lo and behold, the Victorian Ouija board.
___
At first they were surprised, Sue was a little amused
while Daniel wore a perplexing grin.
They set up the board and were a bit confused
when it spelled B – R – I – N- G – M – E – B – E – N.
Visions of the Dark 