Red Eyes

The year was 1940
It was late at night
last drinks were called
in the small pub I was in
I was in for a fright

Before it was time to go home
one of the men told us a story
that sent a chill down my bones
of a time long forgotten
and a ghost long dead

Beware he said
the ghost with red eyes
for he who sees them
surely dies
this ghost said he
walks the dark lanes and roads at night
hoping to find some soul or sanctuary within

Besure he said
to always carry some light
with that he drank his last drink
and bid us goodnight
it was now time for me to go home

I got my coat, said my goodbyes
heading outside to the dark night
the ground was wet from the rain
a cold wind was blowing the leaves in the air
I starting walking my way back home
remindful of the story I just heard
nothing more than an old yarn
reassuring myself as I walked

Suddenly there was a noise from behind
must be a cat in some bushes I thought
footsteps I did hear which weren't mine
as I quickened my pace but didn't dare look back
the faster I walked the faster the footsteps got
so I mustered up the courage to look behind

Stopping dead in my tracks with nothing to be seen
the footsteps had stopped or so it seemed
when all of a sudden there was a scream
oh no I thought what ever could it be
and that was when I caught a gleam
a pair of red eyes glowing in the dark

I started walking quicker again
down the road so narrow and lonesome
with those red eyes following me
I must be losing my mind or going insane
surely the story was only a tale
maybe I had too much to drink
ah I thought that must be it
but no those red eyes
still stared back at me
watching my every footstep
as I walked weak at the knees

There was my home up yonder the hill
home at last but where did the red eyes go
I never noticed them disappear as I walked so fast
what ever the reason I was home at last
opening my front door I went inside
then as I turned round I saw the red glow
there were them red eyes staring back at me
and as i went and closed my door
those red eyes I saw no more
I lived to tell this tale
if only to warn others
never walk home at night alone

©words2myself