After ten long years <br />Johnny returned home <br />Everything seemed unchanged <br />The Aged father sat <br />in his usual garden chair <br />Johnny rushed forward to embrace him <br />But his father looked away <br />Did he not recognize his own son? <br />It really seemed that way <br />He screamed out to him <br />But he continued to look away <br />So he shouted his own name <br />But the old man still looked away <br />Father, have you forgotten me? <br />He asked him finally <br />This time he stared blankly <br />Johnny panicked and rushed inside <br />He found his mother seated <br />Serenely in her usual chair <br />She did not recognize him either <br />When he tried to greet her <br />She just looked into space <br />And then quietly disappeared <br />He ran outside again <br />His father was no longer there <br />Johnny was at a total loss <br />He leaned across the wall <br />And asked a neighbor in a voice quite meek <br />If his parents often played hide and seek <br />The neighbor glared at him in shock and disbelief <br />Then in a calm voice announced <br />'As you were pursuing your career at sea <br />You heard not your helpless parents’ pleas <br />They succumbed to a dreadful disease <br />You should visit a shrink immediately <br />This house has for over four years been empty'<br /><br />Sandra Martyres<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/haunted-51/
