Mad World

What strange creatures people are!
Wanting to live a life on a planet
So green and blue, so full of life,
With animals so majestic.
Isn't it sad that man's expanding urge,
Is making that same planet
A place where animals and trees die,
And where mankind itself is
On the brink of disaster;
Or even of being annihilated?
Aren't we our own worst enemy?

© KH

October

I am outside looking at the October colours
The wind is howling around me
The air is crisp and cool, chilly even
The leaves whirl as I stand there
I’m taking it all in, the red and yellow
It takes my breath away
Dusk is approaching fast, fading away the colours
Darkness comforts me like a blanket
A soft rain is starting to fall, drip, drip on the leaves
The smell is amazing, that earthly sent
I stay outside, in the rain and the wind in the dark
Autumn, I have missed you like an old friend

© KH

Jessie

My heart is heavy

My soul is aching

My home isn't my home with her in it

It's an empty shell without her beautiful soul

The room is sounding hollow even

My whole body cries out for her

She was my best friend, my soulmate

My everything has passed away

We had almost 17 wonderful years together

I am heartbroken

When I come home she's not there to greet me

I have never felt so alone

She has touched my life in so many ways

Loyal, loving, sweet dog

I miss you so much, sweet Jessie




© KH

Summer

The summer air is stifling and hot
I find it hard to breathe
Swallows are soaring up in the sky
My eyes tearing as I look up watching
Bees are buzzing on the flowers
Leaves on trees rustle softly
It seems peaceful and yet
I cannot wait for the autumn winds to come

© KH

Family connections

The note she’d gotten simply had said; ‘Meet me at the manor’ 

She never even thought of not going. It probably was her associate who needed her assistance and she got into her car as quickly as possible to meet her.

When she got there, she opened the door and stepped into what seemed to be the grand hall. It was oak-panelled and high-windowed. She had a feeling she’d been here before but couldn’t place it. She looked around, it was simply beautiful. The Victorian features were astounding as if they were made yesterday. She closed the door behind her and called; ‘Hello? Someone here?’
It seemed as if there was nobody at home, nor has been for some time. The furniture was covered with sheets to protect it from collecting dust and when she walked on her footsteps sounded hollow in the empty hall.
A staircase spiralled upward onto a corridor with a stunning balustrade painted white with roses and leaves and even some angel or two. A gorgeous chandelier was hanging from the ceiling reflecting in a mirror on the wall. Still she heard no one in the whole house.

She started walking towards what seemed the main living room. ‘Miranda, are you in here?’ she called out. Her voice echoed into the hallway, it made her startle.
She looked around in the living room. Here the furniture was covered up as well and from what she could make out there was a lot of it. A chaise-longue, a coffee table, a sofa, no two, two chairs, a stool, a cabinet or two and a tea cabinet (she couldn’t help herself to look underneath the sheets, it was gorgeous with beautiful Royal Albert cups and saucers); and lots of paintings on the wall.
The next room was the dining room with a large dining table and chairs for 16 people to sit on. She shook her head, not liking to cook much herself she couldn’t imagine having to cook for 16 (or more) people!
In this room were also cabinets and paintings on the wall; but still no sign of Miranda.

She took her phone out of her coat pocket and looked if she had gotten a message. No signal, she saw. She made her way back to the front door and tried to open it. Perhaps the signal would be better outside.

‘Madame, you’re home early’ she heard a voice say behind her.

She turned around and saw a butler. Somehow he looked familiar, had she seen him before?

‘Pardon?’ she said still trying to open the front door.

‘I said’ the man repeated patiently, ‘Madame is back early’

‘Back from where?’ she smiled wriggling at the doorknob.

‘Back from your holiday of course’ he smiled ‘Where are your suitcases? Oh never mind I’ll have Luke take them upstairs for you. I’m sorry we’re not ready yet, Madame’ he continued. ‘The sheets are still on the furniture and the girls haven’t cleaned yet but don’t worry, Madame, it will be done in no time’

‘I’m sure it will’ she smiled not sure what to do.

He took her by her elbow and led her to the stairs. She saw him shaking his head.

‘What?’ she asked.

‘I don’t know what the fashion in Spain is these days’ he sighed ‘but if you don’t mind me saying so, Madame, I like your normal clothes much better’.

‘My … normal clothes’ she must have looked like she was totally confused (which she was of course) because he gave a small pinch in her elbow and smiled.

‘Never mind, Madame, your back now, that’s all that matters. You always need a few days after your holiday. Really, there have been years that you didn’t even know my name’ he laughed at his own joke.

She looked at him in shock.

‘Oh dear’ he said. ‘This is one of those years I gather’

She nodded; ‘I’m sorry, I’m so confused’.

‘Bertram, Madame, and it really doesn’t matter. Here, go lie down on your bed.’ He took the sheet of the bed and took off her shoes ‘you give me those hideous shoes’ his nose cringed when he took her loafers, ‘Please, you go to sleep, I’ll send Janine to you when it’s time for diner so she can help you dress’

‘Thank you Bertram’ she whispered.

When he closed the door and she heard him walking away, she jumped up from the bed and took her phone out again. This time she had one bar. She quickly dialled Miranda’s number.

‘Hello Miranda Jones of Broadhurst and Jones agency speaking, how may I help you?’

‘Oh thank god’ she almost cried ‘Miranda!’

‘Jeanne? Where on earth are you?’

‘I don’t know! I think I’ve gone mad. I got a note this morning to come to the manor and I thought it was from you so I went and no one was here only a butler who is calling me ‘Madame’ and is telling me I’m confused and need to lie down and take a nap and that I’ve been on holiday’

‘Wow, slow down, you what, which manor?’ Miranda asked.

‘The one you were going to put on the market today’ she said.

‘Didn’t I tell you that they pulled it out?’

‘You mean the owner doesn’t want to sell after all?’

‘I guess not, but are you okay? Do I need to send out a rescue party?’

All of a sudden there was a knock on the door; ‘Madame, are you awake? I’ve come to dress you for diner’

‘Hold off for now’ she said quietly ‘I’ll call you back later’

She hung up the phone and put it away in the nightstand.

‘Come in’ she said louder.

‘Welcome back Madame’ Janine said walking in, ‘I hope you’ve had a lovely holiday?’

‘Hm’ she nodded vaguely.

Janine walked into the adjoining room which turned out to be a walk-in closet and came back with a lovely evening gown in soft pink.

‘Isn’t that a bit formal for just diner?’ she dared to ask.

Janine looked up, surprised; ‘Oh no Madame, you always dress for diner. Mr. Broadhurst is already downstairs’

‘Mr. Broadhurst?’ she asked in shock almost. She was never married, not a boyfriend even.

‘Oh Madame, it’s really bad this time around. Why go on holiday if you come back like this at all I wonder’ Janine shook her head.

When she was dressed and Janine had done something marvellous with her hair, she looked in the standing mirror and couldn’t believe her eyes.

‘Oh my…’ she said.

‘Yes.’ Janine sighed. ‘Madame is such a beautiful woman’

‘Thank you’ she said with a blush which made Janine look puzzled.


They both walked downstairs into the dining room where the table was set and candles were lit. A man at the head of the table was reading a newspaper and smoking a cigarette. When she walked in the room he looked up, folded his paper and said; ‘Hello darling, you look marvellous. Come and sit down, I’m famished’.

Bertram took a step forward and whispered something in his ear. He looked up at her and said; ‘Oh poor pumpkin, what do I hear? Is it particularly bad this year returning from Spain? You didn’t catch a virus or something, now did you?’

She shook her head and went to sit down. He took her hand and kissed it.
‘I’m glad those dreadful holidays are over. Back to ordinary life. Did you know that Aunt Maud had plans to sell this house from under us whilst we were abroad, hm?’

‘No I didn’t’ she whispered.

‘Well, as soon as I heard I put a hold on that, she can’t do that. That tough old broad is living in a nursing home for heaven’s sake! She may have lived here but now we do’

Bertram came in with diner and the man who was supposed to be her husband was quiet for some time, eating. Bertram bent over to whisper in her ear; ‘His name is Malcom, no he’s not a Broadhurst, you are and you’ve been married for 10 years. This is your house, your property’

‘What Bertram?’ Malcom asked.

‘Nothing sir, just some household things’

‘Ah, right, well, my dear you must eat’

She ate, even though she wasn’t really hungry. She felt ill really. Why couldn’t she remember that was her husband, and this was her home? She had been Jeanne Broadhurst from London for years and all of a sudden she walks in this mansion and she is someone completely different. How, why…? It’s just not possible.

After diner Malcom got up and said he was tired and was going to bed early. By the look of her bedroom they had two separate rooms so he must have his own. He kissed her on the forehead and wished her a goodnight. The servants cleared the table and she picked up the newspaper to immediately drop it again.

‘Bertram’ she asked with a tremble in her voice.

‘Yes Madame’.

‘Is this today’s paper?’

‘Yes Madame, it is’

The date read September 2th 1920.

She slowly got up from her seat and walked in a calm manner to the stairs where she got to her bedroom to put on her own clothes and coat. She opened the nightstand and got her phone out. Softly to make no noise she walked down the stairs again unto the grand hall. She turned the doorknob and the front door opened. Quickly but quietly she walked out and closed the door behind her. Once outside she ran to where she thought she had left her car. It was still there. The keys were in her pocket and she trembled so hard that she had trouble opening the car door. She got into her car, and drove off.

Halfway back to her home she called Miranda.

‘Well you’re calling back late’ Miranda answered her phone.

‘Sorry, but if I tell you what happened you won’t believe me’

‘I’m still up so come on over’

She drove straight to Miranda’s house and once inside she started to tremble so hard that she thought she couldn’t stop. She talked and talked and when she was done Miranda, who had been searching online for the family history of Broadhurst Manor, showed her a picture. It was as if she was looking at a picture of herself. In the same pink dress as she had worn that night, Malcom at her side, even Bertram and Janine in the background. An elderly woman in a chair was in the picture too.

‘Aunt Maud’ she said.

‘Do you think you are the owner of the house? Is that what the house wanted to tell you?’

‘The house wanted to tell me?’ she said. It sounded crazy and yet….


A few days later Miranda came to the office with an envelope in her hand.
‘I have found it’ she said.

‘You have found what?’

‘The complete family history of Broadhurst Manor and the family; it seems that the last one (I guess one of your parents) lived in disagreement with the family about whom they were going to marry. But as an only child they were the only heir. So when the last Broadhurst died, there was no one left to inherent the Manson or so they thought. Because there was you, but because of the argument no one knew about you’.

‘So you mean…’

‘I mean, congratulation, lady Broadhurst, you just need to go to the solicitor with these documents and everything is yours’.

She stood there baffled with the documents in hand.
‘So what I have seen…’

‘I don’t know, Jeanne, but that is some powerful family connection!’

Yes, she thought, very powerful!



© KH

Falling Leaves

I sit and stare at the leaves falling
One by one by one
As if it’s some kind of metaphor
For the time we still have left
I feel a heaviness in my heart
When I start to think of you
If the last leaf will start to fall
Will our time together be up as well?

© KH

All Hallows’ Eve

As my writer's block continues I am looking for writing prompts and this one I found here

Dampness lingered in the midnight air. Nearby, an unidentifiable sound was pricking her nerves, repeating every few seconds. Her breath was catching in her throat as a long shadow cleaves through the light spilling from a street lamp just around the corner ahead of her. She considered turning back but he told her to wait for her here on Calton road. She didn’t like it much, the burial ground was dark and gloomy and she got shivers all over. Was this his idea of a fun date? She really didn’t want to wait long here and debated in her head whether or not to go back to the busier Royal Mile. The mist was thickening like it does in Scotland, rolling in from absolutely nowhere. It came rolling over the hills and she felt the cold dampness as the temperature was dropping. She looked at her watch; he was now half an hour late.

That’s it; she thought and started walking back toward the Royal Mile when suddenly a hand was touching her shoulder. She screamed and turned around.  He stood there with a big smile as if it was the most normal thing to do, scare a girl like that.

‘Are you insane?’ she gasped for breath.

‘Sorry’ he smiled sheepishly. ‘I couldn’t get out of work earlier and my phone died on me again’

‘Why on earth did you want to meet here of all places?’ she asked ‘it’s creeping me out!’

He laughed; ‘Yeah, well that probably wasn’t one of my finer ideas to be honest, but now were here why don’t we have a look around at the cemetery?’

She looked at him as if he’d gotten completely bonkers ‘How about no’ she said and started to walk away.

‘Oh come on, Elly, I’ve always wanted to see the cemetery on a night like this! It’s ideal with the mist and all!’

‘You do know it’s all Hallows’ Eve right?’

‘Is it? Yeah, I know that’s why! Look there are more people with the same idea see?’ he pointed at the cemetery where people dressed in all kinds of costumes were walking around.

‘I don’t know, Pete, I don’t like it much’

He pleaded with her just long enough for her to cave in; ‘Oh fine’ she sighed ‘But not long, just for a bit’

‘Sure I know how you feel about Halloween’

They walked up to the cemetery and opened the squeaky gate. Here on top of the hill the fog was even thicker than on the street. Chills were crawling up and down her spine. She knew she shouldn’t be here, walking here, but somehow no one seemed to have a problem with it as it became quite busy at one point.

‘Like it now Elly?’ Pete asked with a grin which in the dark looked creepy Elly thought.

‘Not much no’ Elly admitted but she kept on walking behind Pete.

She heard a noise behind her and looked back. A couple was giggling and kissing right here at the cemetery, when they saw her looking they giggled louder and walked away.

She turned back and couldn’t see Pete anywhere anymore.

‘Pete’ she called out ‘Pete where are you?’

She started to walk up the hill a bit further and the noises died down. It became very quiet all of a sudden. All she could here was the rustling of the autumn leaves and a bit further away some noises from the city. Pete was nowhere to be seen.

‘Pete’ she started to whisper ‘Pete where are you?’

Why had she agreed to come up here in the first place, she wondered. She hated All Hallows’ Eve and never understood the fun of scaring people or making fun of the dead.  

‘Pete, I’m done’ she said softly and she started to back away to go back down the hill and into the busy city again.
Suddenly she tripped over something and almost fell onto the ground. She grabbed hold of an old tombstone as not to fall down. The ‘object’ over which she tripped made a muffled sound, almost if it moaned or something like that.

It was so dark; she couldn’t see a thing here. What was it she had tripped over? Was that a shoe?
She put her hand over her mouth as not to scream. There was Pete on the ground with a knife in his chest. He was already in a significant pool of blood which was even scarier. This was serious! Or was it? He couldn’t have been stabbed in the time she lost sight of him, could he? That was only a few minutes and the amount of blood was so much! Was this his Halloween prank?

‘Pete I swear if this is your way of a joke…’ she started but there was the moan again. She looked at his eyes and he looked at her with panic in his eyes. Whoever did this was still here, she thought. She was too afraid to turn around and surely but slowly took out her phone and dialled 999.

‘Calm down Pete’ she talked into the phone ‘It will be all right, the ambulance will come and the police and they will save you, I’m sure of it’

‘Ma’am, can I help you? What’s your emergency?’ she heard the operator saying.

‘Who stabbed you, Pete? Do you know?’ she kept talking to Pete as if she wasn’t on the phone. ‘Why would anyone stab you? Especially on all Hallows’ Eve and on a cemetery? Pete, stay with me!’

‘Ma’am, where are you, the ambulance and police are on their way, is it you can’t talk because you suspect the stabber is still in the area?’

‘Yes!’ she said relieved that the operator understood ‘Good Pete stay with me’ She looked beside her and saw Pete was lying next to William Knox’ gravestone. If she could tell that the operator would know where they were.

‘Pete you just wanted to take a look at your favourite poet, William Knox! I’m sorry I didn’t find you earlier here, I should have known that!’

‘Are you at New Calton Burial Ground?’ the operator’s voice asked immediately.

‘Yes, that’s good, Pete’ she said to Pete who closed his eyes and to the operator.

‘Good they’re on their way, try to stay calm you’re doing great’ the operator said.

In the distance she could hear the sirens already. She looked up to the street to see if they were coming but then heard the rustling of the leaves even louder and looked up to see a shadow over the gravestone. She started to scream, backed away and hit her head at the gravestone and heard the operator’s voice in the distance. The lights of the police cars and ambulance which turned just around the corner were first bright then became blurry. And before she drifted away, she saw Pete standing over her with the knife in his hand, a red blood painted shirt on, grinning creepily, ready to stab her.

‘I so hate All Hallows’ Eve’ she whispered before she lost consciousness.

© KH