Annie from Mary King’s Close (poem)

Photograph of Mary King’s close;
Source https://www.cobbletales.com/underneath-edinburgh-old-town/

 To write this poem, inspired me the Edinburgh underground city and it’s legend:

“In the 90s, the renowned Japanese psychic, Aiko Gibo came to visit The Real Mary King’s Close while making a film about the haunted places of Britain. When it came to stepping inside a room off Allan’s Close, she could barely enter the 17th-century room for the pain and unhappiness she could feel there: ‘I cannot enter this room… it is too strong… there is a child beside me, her little hand is clutching my trouser leg. I… I just cannot go into this room… she was separated from her parents. She wants to go home and see her family… her desire haunts this place very strongly.’” 

Quote from https://www.realmarykingsclose.com/the-story-of-annies-doll/

Come closer, Annie

I woke up in my cold room, as usually, 

Though no sunbeam greeted me,

(It never does);

I came downstairs to the kitchen,

To help my mother with breakfast

But the room was empty,

No mother was there.

Was she still sleeping?

Or did she go out 

to the grocery store?

The bedroom empty,

Did my father 

get to work without breakfast?

Were are my siblings?

Little Joey not in his cradle?

Did my big sister Emma 

leave our home, too?

I feel like crying..

When will they come back?

(Never?)

No! In a moment they will be back!

I will wait for them 

with the breakfast ready!

I came back to my room

To take my dolly..

(She always cheers me up!)

There is no dolly?

Did she go out as well?

Who did take my dolly?!

It is so empty, dark

And quiet here..

There is no groceries in the cupboard 

And the evening comes…