Monday, July 28, 2014

Shadow beast



A shadow; dark reflection of the opaque
But a shade; an obscure fake
Interposed body of blocked light
Nothing that strikes fright
Not when it is but a shadow
A harmless shade that follows
But shadows glide along walls
And do not sprint down halls
Shadows do not hunt prey
They are but gray in gray
This shade was no shadow
Not like any shadow I know
Black within black upon black
Prowling along awaiting attack
This was a vestigial remnant
Of Hell's inhabitants
A dark beast
Hunting feast
I its dinner to be
If I did not flee
Feeling my heart race
My feet spot welded in place
Wanting, but unable to run
My feet listened to no reason
I felt my toenails curl to my heels
Knowing how a snail feels
Crawling over a trail of salt
I was here, Caught
Immobilized
Paralyzed
My flesh burning with fear
As the shadow grew near
All that is holy aid me
Aid me as I flee

© Jerry Langdon 2014