It had been nearly fifteen years, since I stood before these Halls.
And reflected on the secrets that it held within it's walls.
In my mind I saw the many souls, that the creature held in chains.
I still hear the shrieks of agony as he distributed his pains.
I saw, in my mind's eye, the hooks, adorned with writhing men.
The pools of blood, and all the rats, that scampered through his den.
I remembered his forbidding face, as I watched it twist in glee.
As his masterpiece of butchery, was so proudly shown to me.
I heard a doomed man's assertion, another foolish man, like me
That the fiend had captured my friend, Paul. I was here to set him free.
I recalled those horrid memories that have haunted me for years.
But, I knew that to complete my quest, I must put aside my fears.
As night set in, I heard a sound that made my heart rejoice.
Though it was dim, I recognized my friend Paul! The poet's voice!
And now, I must devise a plan, to spirit my friend out.
It must be sound and silent; lest he suspect that I'm about.
I knew he had keen senses, after all, he's not a man
So I mulled it over in my mind, each nuance of my plan.
The moon appeared, so cold and pale, and pushed the clouds aside.
An evil glow reached out, to cloak the surrounding countryside.
Another thought occurred to me: A plan that well might work.
And I sought out his familiar that was hiding in the murk.
By nature, I'm a gentle soul; I'd hurt neither beast nor man.
But, I thought about my good friend, Paul. My God! I think I can.
I tied the foul familiar, to a twisted oak tree's limb.
I gathered stones, my mind rebelled, but: I threw the rocks at him.
The creature's cries were loud and shrill; they pierced the silent night.
They caught the fiend's attention, for, I saw candle light.
Then the monster stood before the halls and my courage nearly died.
He called my name, and promised death, and, much worse; he implied.
As he searched for his familiar, he vented cries of wrath.
I slipped inside! I freed my friend! We then bolted down the path!
By now, the moon was in retreat, and we ran by dawn's dim light.
But even in the gray of dawn, I saw Paul's hair was white
As we ran a long the forest trail, with the monster in pursuit.
I tripped and fell, a creeping vine, had wrapped around my boot.
That saved my life, for as I fell, I saw a bolt of fire flash.
It hit a tree that fell to earth with a muffled, tortured crash.
We were unsure of where we were, or the distance we had run,
But, as if in answer to my prayers, Behold! The rising sun.
The fiend that was pursuing us, paused, then, turned away.
For, it could not abide the blessed sun, and, it slept throughout the day.
So, we escaped, and to this day, this idea's mine, not Paul's.
We don't discuss what came about.
Nor, speak of Haggard's Halls...
Haggards' Halls ( X )
Paul E. Berube
You lumber through life's beaten path,
inhaling cobwebs, exhaling wrath.
Blood within your veins grows cold,
spirits yearn, to claim a soul.
You've given life most foolishly,
to quench a thirsting fantasy.
A bond with death be your reward,
for testing satan's mighty sword.
Time forever waits no more,
it sends a message here-to-fore.
Once locked in there is an out,
cast your lot to those about.
Never fear there'll come a day,
when someone else will walk your way,
and he shall fade into those walls,
the trap is set in Haggards' Halls.
A Knock At Your Door
Sheila Center
It's late one night, there's a knock at your door,
You don't expect company, so who is for?
The hairs start to rise on the back of your neck,
And suddenly the life, which you've lived, you regret.
It's your time that has come, do you feel afraid,
Regret the choices in life that you've made?
Can you honestly say that you've really tried,
Have you lived by the truth or throughout lived a lie?
You can taste the cold on the tip of your tongue,
You're consumed by the fear, and your legs cannot run.
You haven't a choice, as the choice has been made,
By now you are shaking, you're so afraid.
You look around, you're all alone,
Except for walls of cobbled stone.
You see your life go by in a flash,
Then without any warning it turns into ash.
What will you do since your time has come?
Will you face the judgment, or turn and run?
Should you try to run, you'll just stumble and fall,
You can't make it out of Haggard Hall.
A Visit To The Halls
Robert Fullerton
Last night, sleep eluded me, and I stared at four bare walls.
So I let my mind take me away to visit Haggard's Halls.
I knew the paths that I must take, our friend, Paul, showed us the way.
And I knew the risks of going there, and so I knelt to pray.
I prayed the Lord to let me live, and to bring to you this tale.
Then I stood before the great Hall's doors, the moon was cold and pale.
Inside, I heard such cries of pain, and shrieks from untold maimed.
And, from within, I heard a voice that was calling out my name.
The smell of blood and butchery was heavy on the air.
Dare I take the chance, and go inside, knowing well how I might fare?
The Hall's doors slowly opened wide and I peered into the haze.
Then the keeper of this torture pit chanced to fall within my gaze.
No mortal man; So tall, so dark, with eyes as black as sin.
He howled with glee, and beckoned me; Well, Robert. Please step in.
Inside I saw the cold, dank walls, adorned with hooks and chains.
And heard the cries of endless souls enduring endless pains.
Rats and spiders everywhere, and bloodstains on the stones.
And in every room within these Halls, were piles of human bones.
The cries and moans that filled the air, from victims not yet dead.
Froze my mind, and filled my heart and soul with awful dread.
I wished to run; I couldn't move, I was held by evil's power.
And I knew that I would forfeit life, and be damned within the hour.
Then, suddenly; I was awake, and shivering in my bed.
The cries of all those tortured souls still ringing in my head.
But; This was no dream; For I was there, inside those hateful Halls.
And I can tell you, stone by stone, the contours of the walls.
Now I lie here, and shake with fear: There's good reason for my fright.
The dreadful things I witnessed there, have turned my dark hair white!
So, stay away, and save your souls, I warn you, one and all.
I played the fool, and now I pay. Lord, I wish I'd heeded Paul.
So let Haggard's Halls, and our friend Paul, those gruesome secrets keep.
But; Woe is me, I'm oh, so tired, yet too afraid to sleep.
Haggard's Halls
Paul E. Berube
A castle sits in troubled lands,
protected by contested hands.
Heir of right forced to flee,
black cold hearts, rulers be.
Deep in dungeons damp and gray,
hidden well from light of day,
legions plan of their revenge,
fallen kingdom will avenge.
Evil hides among the stones,
it slithers into flesh and bones.
Blood is drawn to foil a plan,
lesson learned by mortal man.
Rout will wait another day,
good of life shall have its' say.
Thoughts remain within those walls,
Darkness lay in Haggards' Halls.
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