Rash and Reaper

Damned hyena
Walks the floorboards.
Mumbled menace.
Closets, cupboards.

Giddy swagger,
Grizzled charm,
Cloak and dagger,
Four alarm.

What’s he want?
Who’s he after?
Calls and taunts
Within the plaster.

Undercover,
I perspire.
Shifting, shirk
The shrieking wire.

Slobber trails
Down the hall.
Salve and slather.
Wounded gather.

Wringing, working,
Scratching, lurking.
Rounds the corner,
Eye to eye.

Ask to answer.
Mangle dancer,
Razor Reaper
In reply.

Gagging breath,
Garbled lungs,
Stench of death,
Hanging tongue.

Now or never.
Make your pleasure.
Risk endeavor.
Pull the lever.

4/3/19