A storm was brewing and I was lost in the woods
Dusty clothes brambles in my sandals
Matted hair I had lost my comb
A dirty face as the water had run out too
Just as I was about to despair I heard this voice say
“Come in, I’ll give you shelter from the rain”
I turned around and was surprised to see
A rather comely lady neatly dressed
I followed her limping along the beaten path
To a cottage on the edge of the woods
As she opened the door I could have sworn
The place was haunted – an owl perched
On the roof was eyeing me stealthily
A black cat ambled across the floor
Towards his mistress almost listlessly
I took two steps back and headed for the door
My hostess said disdainfully “Why young man
Is not this place good enough for you?
Remember I promised you a shelter from the rain”
Before I could reply the sound of thunder
Ranted the air leaving me terrified
I quickly stepped back in and took a deep breath
Hoping to calm myself instead of which
I inhaled strange particles that I could not identify
I almost choked but was afraid to ask for water
Unperturbed, my hostess offered me a tumbler
With a concoction that was good for the throat she said
I thought to myself- In for a penny in for a pound
Just swallowed the stuff as fast as I could and that is
All that I can remember about the lady’s shelter
The following morning I was picked up by a search party
Ambulance – lying unconscious under a large tree
They also opined that I was probably hallucinating
As there was no woman and no sign of a cottage.
Sandra Martyres
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/come-in-i-ll-give-you-shelter-from-the-rain/
