The Lonely Man

#halloweenparty (sort of)

There's always that one doorbell that no kid will press
That house where the curtains haven't moved in twenty years and no less
That door that just stands there lonely and un-knocked
Almost with a resignation that it will always stay locked
No tricks or treats to be had at this home
Everybody knows this man just wants to be left alone

But what they don't know is this man was popular before
Twenty years ago he had the most welcoming of doors
Then one day he met the love of his life
They settled down and became husband and wife
He was the happiest man that ever lived on this earth
That was until the day his beloved died giving birth

Jonathan lived on for twenty-three minutes more
But then he was taken away from him along with his core
His face has been ashen and still even since
Almost as if the news was permanently sinking in
For the briefest of moments he had everything he had ever dreamed
But they were stripped from his world and now he just silently screams

For the past twenty years he has stared at the walls
No photographs or paintings or pictures at all
Just the blank grey space where his family portraits should have gone
But no matter how much he stares he can't picture his son
It's been twenty years but it won't be twenty one
He's decided to meet them..with this life he is done

With the noose in his hand and one foot on the chair
There was a knock at the door for the first time in many a year
Almost in shock he went and answered the door
Three children dressed as witches and one ghost which made four
Trick or treat they all said in perfect harmony
Their mum adding "hi we're your new neighbours at number twenty-three"

His lips started twitching at the sides where they meet
And with his first smile he said "sorry I haven't any sweets"
As the three witches skipped away the ghost slowly trudged behind
"Come on Jonathan" came a shout "we haven't got that much time"

The old man walked back to the chair he had earlier planned to kick
Only this time instead of standing he decided to sit
He put his hands to his face to feel a shape he once knew
With a hint of shock the biggest smile there had grew
In his mind he was convinced that his boy had saved his life
He was sent back with that message from his beautiful wife

The walls are now white and the lights are now on
The doorbell now works and the cobwebs are gone
The curtains have been drawn and there are pictures on the wall
The picture of his beautiful wife is the biggest one of them all
He visits her grave at least once a week
And falls to sleep every night after feeling two kisses on his cheek