New Accomplices

Something stalks at night by the river front.

I went there last week to watch it hunt.

From my boat I saw a tall figure in the trees.

It stalked slowly, camouflaging in shadow.

All I could do was freeze.

Eyes of green peered out from the blackness.

They held an evil kind of prowess.

For a time, all I could see were the outlines of aspens.

Then crawling onto the beach, crouching like the cravens.

Hair of gold.

My skin went cold.

Yes, tall and thin.

Wretched as sin.

But with eyes like mine, that told of crime.

Blue orbs instead of green.

In the moonlight they take on an unsettling sheen.

It was then I realized what I’d done.

Somehow, I’d stumbled upon my smoking gun.

A double-barreled vicious temptress, of high risk.

Lips with a gentle bow began to tisk.

Tick Tock, like a clock.

The timer has been set and I paddle with fury.

River water glides beneath the hull in a vicious slurry.

Away and away, I paddle, as the timer rattles.

Flashes of shackles, followed by raising hackles.

My hair stands on end as I round the bend.

Somewhere back there, I met the sinisterness of my nightmares.

The monster that darkens the good parts of me, while it begs to be set free.

I’ve started to buy sturdy locks.

The haunted ones bang on the door, wearing bejeweled frocks.

Attempting to trick me, they make perfect promises.

But they don’t know they can no longer reach me, I’ve gathered new accomplices.

Minerva Violet