how could they know?

painted pictures on the wall
hang morbidly down the empty hall
their eyes watched me as i go
forever silent with the secrets they know

their stare could not slow my stride
laments of old ghosts, i do not abide
i stopped at the door with flowers
it stood out so brightly among the others

i could hear her inside, breathing slow
sleeping soundly, she couldn't possibly know
i saw her face, so very young
so full of hopes, her story barely begun

sleeping peacefully without a stir
oblivious to laments of old ghosts getting louder
the morning came as always before
another normal day but with something more

a scream resonates through the hall
hurried feet ran past pictures on the wall
behind the door with painted flowers
around the bed a sad family gathers

so young, they couldn't possibly know
that it was her time to go