Closer
I wish I had closed the door
I first heard the footsteps
ten days after I moved in.
Just after midnight,
strong firm, exacting.
On the stairs.
Along with my cold feet.
I put my head under the covers and
shut my eyes as if the dark
or could protect me.
Night after night after night
they returned.
Measured and moving
closer.
Last night when all was finally quiet
with all my strength
I yanked my head out
and peeked.
And what stood before me?
What smokey, faded, remnant
of nightmare remembered
waited?
Edging closer, it had no name
that I knew.
I wish though
Oh I wish that
I had never opened my eyes and that
I had closed the damned
door.
