CREEPING FEAR

Simmering in sticky sweat
Crawly with goose bumps
Stomach knotted, quivering;
With eyes unseeing, she stared
Into the penumbra just outside
The circle lit by the oil lamp.
Long ghostly figures danced
In the flickering light
Like flames fanned by wind;
The shadows had lost ease—
Must be no ordinary dream
On this dark, eerie night!

Thud! Crunch! Snap!
She peered further into the night
Beyond the reach of light;
Another twig amidst the
Crunching leaves broke.
Fear wearied her mind
Numbed her senses;
Must be a nightmare extended!
Ghosts … beasts … demons?
Thieves … storm … dream?

“I didn’t mean to wake you…”
She lost her mind; clutched the sheets
The end must be now…
“I awoke to heed nature’s call.”
It was only her six-year-old.