Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1937-04-20
THE SPIRIT OF A BARN.

Once when all the world was dreary,
And my throbbing heart was weary
With winters chilling breeze;
sought to find some consolation
In some strange, new occupation
With myself to please.
set out on a new adventure
With nothing .ut my pad and pencil
With which to note new facts.
In my soul there was yearning-
Like a fire forever burning
To trail some now and different tract!
In my mind there rose a vision
OF an old barn, almost hidden
From sight, behind thick vines.
And to me it seemed appealing,
For soon l found that 1 was speeding
Along a trail that dips and winds.
did not mind that it was raining
When / thought that l was gaining
Thrills for my thirsty SOUL
And when 1 dropped into a hollow,
l lOnged the more this "traiP' to fol-
Til l shoUld reach my goal.
When the last curve l was "rounding''
My excited heart was pounding
Against my rles-I knew with fear.
For r1y own imagine ION
Made this seem my destination
Now that my prize was near!
When my eyes the tvl door sighted,
oy,f
Seemed to burst with heavy beat.
AS if by some mysterious spell
Or unseen power,-I could not tell
l stcod-o cared not retreat!
Before the barn door there was mold
ing
A icg-jn it's service holding
The screechy door shut fast.
Soon l found that 1 was rolling
This away. The door was opening;-
Inside was at last!
I just stood there fascinated
AS my weak heart palpitated
Feebly. Before my eyes
Lay scene that so enchanted
Would remain fore'er implanted
In my mind in wild disguise.
There, in dark corner, standing
Was tombstone-its posture slant
ing
At the head Of fallen mound.
From above this mound, a yellow
Light sent forth a soft, rich mellow
Glow, upon the dampened ground.
Nor could 1 tell what source was
sending
The fate of one who has passed
Beyond the Gulf; it's life retreating
Before the final trumpet blast.
All at once, with great drops glisten-
ing
On my forehead, found me listening
To low and mournful sound
| could not tell from when it came
Nor of its nature could I name.
1t encompassed me around.
1t was a voice, low and eerie
Of soul, it's fate now meeting
Calling vainly for mercy late
In valn.' 1T was useless pleading
To Being who, now unheeding
Had sent it to it's surest fate.
I hardly dared to move or stir
Lest upon myself incur
Some disastrous eveil deed
That would bind me here like letters
With never word nor even letters
To record my fate, for others to read
l reached to wipe the perspiration
From my brow, in preparation
10 leave this unearthly ground;
Satisfied with ever treading
More solid earth, and never dreadins
Simple walks of Life I'd found.
l turned myself around to leave,
Hardly daring to even breathe,
When my blood so soon run cold.
For to my right there stood a creature
For my eyes to catch and hold
For always and ever, it was changing
Itself, as if arraning
One object--white and still.
But in vain it's useless striving.
1t would ever be abiding
In space it could not fill
| know not now how long l stood
Like stature carved of wood,
Without the Hiss and breath of life
|. only thought that l was dreaming
Some terrible Fate-from me screen
ing
My very right to up and fight
But at last, | turned ME round,
Reached the door in one great bound
And sped through with all my speed
Nor did l pause just once for breatl
Until / knew this barn I'd left
Never again to heed.
Alice Caudle, Henderson, North
Carolina.