The Howl

– by The Fool

A ghostly howl rings through the bog,
In densly swirling, clinging fog.
What creature lurks within the moor?
A secret: hidden, and obscure.

Off in the distance, lights draw near,
You clasp your hands and gasp in fear.
A sudden splash, a branch that snaps,
You swear you heard its muffled steps.

As shadows creep and float around,
There is no safety to be found!
Faint footsteps, drawing nearer still,
With laboured breath, about to kill.

Lost in panic, you stumble ahead,
For if it finds you, you’ll be dead.
But as you flee your feet get stuck
And sink into the knee-deep muck.

It stalks you as you thrash and twist,
Its red eyes glowing in the mist.
But there is nothing you can do!
It finally caught up with you!

Its body coils with a deep growl,
Then pounces you with a loud howl.
Sharp claws and teeth sink into flesh,
Hot blood is gushing from a gash.

You wake in bed with a loud scream,
Eyes wide with fear ‘What vivid dream!’
Your heart is pounding in your chest
And no thought yet to get more rest.

You look outside into the dark,
A lantern flickers in the park.
No sign there is of any threat,
But still your shirt is soaked in sweat.

As you lie down and close your eyes,
That gripping fear slowly subsides.
Through open windows seeps night’s heat,
When ghostly howls ring through the street.