I had to read We Have Always Lived in the Castle for my APLit class. Even though I think it's psychotic and creepy, I have a weird fondness for it. And I decided to write this non-rhyming poem for it. So...yeah.
I don't own the book. And I don't own the title. I got that from the new movie of the same name.
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It's Kind Of a Funny Story
How I know about the Blackwoods, you ask?
All I have to say to that is,
It's kind of a funny story...
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I have always wondered about many things.
My mother says it's because I was born with an agile mind.
Whatever that means.
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I want to go exploring in the forest.
My father says it's dangerous to be there.
Like I would believe that.
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One thing I always wonder about is the Blackwood house.
The townspeople say that it is not worth being bothered.
I don't think that for a second.
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I always see Mary Katherine Blackwood in town on Tuesdays and Fridays.
My friends say she's a freak.
I ignore them and avert my gaze.
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I wonder about why everyone hates the Blackwoods.
My neighbors say it's because Constance killed her family.
I think it's something else.
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I hear the fire sirens wail through the night.
My parents say the Blackwood house is on fire as we tumble into the car.
For once…I remain speechless.
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The house is blackened by fire.
Those around me say it's not worth putting out.
I watch, eyes wide.
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The people storm the house, and I can hear crashes and bangs.
They shout and wail like wild things.
I stand, hanging my head in shame.
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A week later, my parents give me a basket.
They say it's for the Blackwood sisters, an apology for what they did.
I am finally allowed on the Blackwood land.
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I go up to the door and ring the bell.
No one says anything.
I wait for a minute before I leave it on the steps and run home.
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The next day, I go back through the gates.
The children say someone is still in the house.
The windows are boarded up, and I see no one there.
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I take the basket home with me.
My parents say that nothing is left.
But they are wrong.
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I pick up a little note laying under a bread pan.
It says, "Thank you" in a childish scrawl.
I smile.
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How does it end, you ask?
All I have to say to that is,
It's kind of a funny ending...
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Now, I walk past the house every day.
People say that the Blackwood girls will stay there forever.
I finally believe them.
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You're not satisfied, are you?
All I have to say to that is,
It's kind of a funny way to look at things...
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You don't believe me, do you?
As I said to you before,
It's kind of a funny story...
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It doesn't matter if they never come out.
I say let them be.
I think they are very happy exactly as they are.