Well Haunted​​

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When the train leaves Borth

I see ‘Welcome to Hell’ painted

on the side of a house. Is it hell here? 

 

In the foothills of the Cambrian mountains 

I now call home. Where mountain meets sea 

an hour north. Of course there are ghosts—

 

the old woman at Devil’s Bridge,

who appears on the forest hemmed 

roads, and footprints of forts with echoes 

of the guards once housed there.

 

The electric buzz of the train builds, 

sawing into my eardrums. Sharp

needle jolts against my neurons.

 

A sign at the other end of my journey reads,

‘Prepare To Meet Thy God’ in bold red,

and I know which of these haunts more 

 

ominously when on the tube to my next 

destination a man holds me in his gaze 

for a second too long. I am perceived 

in exactly the way I prefer not to be.

 

Even among the bustle of many others.

Uncomfortable in a city skyline

cage. Petrol fumes, fish and chip shop

fryers, the sea replaced with sewer—

 

lock me in. But if I close my eyes

it melts away. My ghosts join me. 

The green hills of “Hell” remind me

it’s a pretty nice place to be.

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By Katherine Garrison

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Katherine Garrison is a private chef and baker originally from the mountains of Wyoming, now living in rainy rural Wales. She writes short fiction and poetry often exploring themes through nature, food, the weird, or some mix of these. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming with Elegant Literature, Trashlight Press, Baubles from Bones, fifth wheel press's effervescent anthology, and Variety Pack among others. When not cooking or writing she loves to go on long hikes with her partner and their dog, camping, birdwatching, foraging, gardening and being outside in general.

 

Bluesky: @katherinegarrison.bsky.social

Instagram: @kgwritesstories