The Night of the Flaming Beacons

 

We could see the flames

From our carriage on the road

Huge beacons blazed

Drenching the driveway with light

A crumbling, neglected mansion

Slowly flickering back to life

 

Clutching large capes

Peering out

From our masks

We walked forward

Uncertainly, cautiously

Ascending crumbling steps

Passing through a massive dark oak door

Into a shadowed vestibule

Then the splendid  main hall

Bathed in both darkness and light

 

Dark figures assembled

Then floated away

Shadows flickered

Crystal glasses of champagne

Appeared before us

Glittering, sparkling

Their servers out of sight

 

Eyes locked and moved on

All was mysterious

 

Music drifted above us

Filling the night air

Danger slowly descended

Filling the dark spaces

It was time to take our leave