Child's play

The trees were dark and dank down along beside the drive,
It's easy even now to imagine that's where ghosts do thrive.

That eerie feeling I well remember lasted all night long inside.
Grannie came to say 'Good night;' ' We're not afraid!'  we lied!
When she asked us to tell about the flags we always waved.

We imagined there were demons from whom we must be saved.
Playing in amongst the rhododendrons along the paths we'd race.
"Be brave and strong! Must be the first! Never can lose face!"

We'd play all through the day and to extend the end we'd hide
It always was the sound of Grandpa's bell ringing loud outside
That told us "Now game's really over" for better or for worse.

One fine day at the end of play Jenny found she had no purse.
Searching later in the dark, though full of fears of going back,
We  found the purse and lost our fears of ghosts and all that cack.

TR