Susannah Stewart Stories

This House Is More Than a House

What does it see from the windows of its eyes

A house is never still in darkness to those who listen intently; there is a whispering in distant chambers, an unearthly hand presses the snib of the window, the latch rises. James M. Barrie

Willful watchful House, Built from fallen trees of the Old Woods, Abiding awareness, Focused on the girl Stands guard, No danger will cross the threshold.

I know most would laugh scornfully at the thought of a house changing its structure or a dictionary as a devoted watchdog. But I’ve lived here for most of my life. This house and the objects within have strange and capricious natures.

Bedrooms appear and disappear. Stairways go everywhere and nowhere. For the favored few, the house sees into their hearts and fulfills their needs.

I want to make it clear that doesn’t include me. I tend to it with respect and the house plays no tricks on me. But that’s all.

Susannah is a different story. House has dearly loved Susannah from the moment I brought her through the door. Within its confines, it and the faithful Merriam Webster are her fiercest protectors and, unfortunately, her greatest influences.

Grandmother Iline

Imagine yourself as a living house.

C. S. Lewis

This is poem number four in my ‘Multiplier of Five’ Poetry Series. My theme is the childhood of Susannah Stewart, a character in my Fortune Teller series. She was also part of my Halloween series recounting the comeuppance of Pumpkin Jack and Bloody Bones. In The Reckoning For Pumpkin Jack and Bloody Bones, Susannah and House deal with the two villains before they cause more trouble.

The other poems in the series are: From the Beginning: Susannah’s parents die in a car wreck that she survives. Loving Families: Susannah has a blended family of a most unusual kind. A Girl’s Best Friends: Susannah’s animal companions are more than pets.

Suntonu Bhadra began this ‘Multiplier of Five’ Poetry Series challenge.

5 (five) poetries in 5 (five) days, each in precisely 25 (twenty-five) words (spaces not counted)