A Mischief of Bones

One night I sat beside the fire My patience fading, spirits dire A clatter rose from walls around A rattle, sharp; a chilling sound “The wind”, I thought, “or some lost thief" But soon I’d learn the source of grief... Through darkened halls, I crept, in fear The floorboards groaned, the air unclear I flung the door wide; what surprise A skeleton before my eyes! It shook its skull and gave a grin I slammed the door, my patience thin Tap-tap-tap, a crack and a creak, Those bones were playing hide and seek! But then I saw, to my despair A second skeleton in my chair It spilled my tea, knocked over bread Then chased me down with clacking dread “Oh heavens!” I cried, in retreat With skeletons at every beat... They hung from lamps, they filled the room One grabbed a book, another a broom One danced upon the tabletop Another tipped its hat with a nod Through haunted halls I tried to flee The clacking bones were chasing me! Tick-tack-tock, tippity-tap, Bones behind me with a snap! The kitchen, too, was full of woe They rolled my cat around the dough One took a sniff of my allspice Then sneezed its skull, and paid the price! A skeleton slipped with a thud And clattered down in doughy mud Clink-clank-clank, clickety-clack, These bones are never turning back! But worst of all, my final dread The bones had crawled into my bed They pulled the blanket, made a nest And claimed they, too, "deserved some rest"! I shrieked, I groaned, but gave a sigh There’s no escape, no use to try Rattle-tap-tap, skitter and creep, These bones won’t even let me sleep! ...And now I live with bones each day Their tricks and pranks, they’re here to stay With every click and spooky tone They clatter echoes through my home They haunt my nights with mischief and glee These skeletons just won’t let me be! Sometimes I wish they'd leave me alone, But, truth be told, I’d miss them bones...