That Old House

· · · • • • • 🎀 • • • • · · · you left your red mittens by the stairs one little button caught in the door the old lock swore you stopped and knocked the old bell whispered, "leave the past alone!" the floor carried their footsteps to you the garden gate said, "go around." the old door behind the house creaked open its handle turned before you touched it. the hallway above the door whispered the stairs remembered your little shoes the darkened corridor breathed softly "don't come any closer, you know this place." · · · • • • • 🎀 • • • • · · · the mailbox beside you gave you a letter folded four times, its ink bleeding through it told you, "take the old trail behind you," the one that leads out of your childhood dream. · · · • • • • 🎀 • • • • · · ·