In the murky night— I awoke.
My vigilance, to sleep, I slipped.
From the storm's rage, my shelter broke
as wet wind through my torn tent dripped.
In the damp, my lamp!
The flames flicker.
It trembles in the night.
Its dying embers shimmer.
I must set it right!
Quick—— with oil anew,
I have but seconds few,
coax it back to life.
Soon it will again glow bright.
From my task, my face, up, I turn.
Out through the frayed flap, a new door,
a shape, a mass, a lumbering form,
with eager eyes, that anticipate gore.
Never before so close.
Just beyond the darkness' edge.
Stopped, just a few paces from my throat.
It tries to call me to the ledge,
stalking me, like my regrets' ghosts.
The mass I see, leering in.
Patient—— waiting.
Its resolution clear, grim.
So close, I can hear
its teeth grating,
as if next to my ear.
I watch it back away, out of view.
It can shake me into my heart,
but tonight, a lucky lot I drew.
In time to save my spark, my rampart.
Now wary, I'll see my watch through.
Mar 22, 2026