A CAVALIER

How old is the cottage? – We’re not really certain;
we think it dates back to the seventeenth century
based on some “happenings” we can report
up in the front bedroom.  No – really, I’m serious!
Sometimes, at midnight, we’re rudely awakened;
a rattling latch, then the door swings wide open
and in comes a figure – it’s hard to distinguish...
I’d hazard a guess, he’s a Royalist soldier
with riding boots, breeches, a hat with a feather.
He ducks for the beams as he crosses the bedroom
does not make a sound on the squeakiest floorboard
kneels down at the window and aims with his musket
and fires it, apparently, into the street.
He then disappears, leaving us rather wakeful.
The worst thing for me, is that gunpowder odour
suffuses the room for the rest of the night.
Our guests all insist they enjoy apparitions
but mostly see nothing and leave disappointed.
We’ll never sell up, as we won’t find a buyer.
Who needs a ghost when you’re trying to sleep?