Afraid of the dark
Of the unseen monster
that lurks in the basement
hiding in the shadows

It knows when you
have your back turned,
sweat beads glistening
on the nape of the neck

Get your business done
then turn around and run
arms holding packages
full of kitchen staples

Hands on the railing
running full speed
up each stair
that have transformed into
colossal squares
of slippery granite

Each placed footing
trembling with failure
As the heart rate pumps faster
unspoken fear is now the master

Some bogey emerges from the darkness
moving with lightning speed
around the corner
to the bottom of the stairs

Inertia broken, gravity returns
as each leg breaks free
from unseen terrors
to the top of the stairs

Feverish fingers fighting
grasping the light switch
to extinguish the beacon
drawing the unseen near

The darkness is jettisoned
back to the furthest wall
home to beetles and spiders
and other unseen critters that crawl

Prey momentary safe
until the next venture
of a nocturnal adventure
into the creepy basement

mathiasthom
written 4/15/10