Night Game

There came a dark night, once, long, long ago,

When no moon could be seen, and the fire burned low.

From out of the forest, a scream could be heard.

‘Twas a bone chilling sound, not of beast or of bird.

It came from a creature out hunting for blood,

And the thing wasn’t searching in the trees or the mud.

No, it was hunting for me; it had sniffed out my trail.

And it was sure of its victim, for it never did fail.

It would do me no good to grab a gun or a knife.

No, all I could do, was to flee for my life.

So I started to run, led by the bright Northern Star,

And prayed for God’s speed, for my haven was far.

The chase lasted hours, over hills and through streams.

As the creature drew closer, I could hear its wild screams.

The vines and the branches, they tore at my face,

Still I ran on unheeding, setting a murderous pace.

But the creature sped up, I could tell by the sound.

That my best was no good, for it flew o'er the ground.

With a growl like laughter, he closed in on me,

As I dodged and twisted ‘round each rock and each tree.

But I didn’t dare stop; for the price would be death,

And on the back of my neck, I could feel its hot breath.

But then came the time, I couldn’t run any more,

So I spun ‘round to face, what fate had in store.

I squared back my shoulders and tried to be brave,

For I knew what awaited; ‘twas my own, yawning grave.

The monster stepped out, of the forest so dark,

It laughed in my face, with a mad, horrid bark.

It had long, yellow fangs and a bloody, red eye,

And I knew what came next. It was my time to die.

It reached out a claw, and it pushed me to sit.

Laughing madly once more, he screamed, "Tag, you’re it!!!"

Michael D. David

August 21, 1996

A special thanks to Phantom Blue.  You know what you did.