//circa March 2015
There was a view of the
Ocean from the
Third story workroom.
Candice and Jerome
Weren’t allowed up there
By request of their father.
They respected him enough
To oblige the simple request,
But their minds
Could not help from wondering;
As children do.
Their father was
Kind, gentle, and fair,
So they never did
Venture into that attic,
That third story mystery.
A party was to be had.
Mother had set out
The refreshments,
Delights for all her friends
To eat
And to drink.
Eight o’clock
Was the children’s normal
Bedtime, but it was
A party night, so
Ten seemed more appropriate
To greet the guests.
Candice drank
A lot of grape juice, and
Began to swirl,
Began to twirl,
Began to hurl.
Jerome rushed to find
Mother, but the grape
Tonic had gotten the best
Of her as well.
Father’s friend Carl
Told Jerome that
His father was
Alone in his study,
Not to be disturbed.
Mrs. Driscoll was
In the room with father,
Her pale skin
Shining in the moonlight.
Jerome had never seen
Father so angry.
The slap turned into a
Bruise within minutes.
Candice wasn’t awake anymore.
Jerome broke father’s one rule.
Father, subsequently,
Broke a few
Rules of his own.
The view of the ocean
Is nice from the top
Of the house.
When the third story
Came crashing down
Over the flames,
Jerome’s last view
Was that ocean.
No wonder father
Didn’t want to share.
Lauren Dixon 