The Shadow

I crawl into bed,

Ready to fall asleep.

My wife lay soundly next to me,

No sound. Not even a peep.

Tap! Tap! Tap! Against my door.

"Who is there?" I ask.

No answer. Only deafening silence.

I roll over back to bed.

Creak! Creak! Creak! The door moves as if coming to life.

This time I shout, "Get out! Let me be."

No answer. Only deafening silence.

There was no one there but me.

The silence rings so loud,

I can hear my heart pulsing in my ear.

Somewhere in the dark, something lurks,

I don't believe that I'm alone in here.

Mustering all my courage, I climb off my bed,

The floor cracks with every step I take.

Slowly moving towards the door,

Praying that my fears are fake.

Turning the doorknob I thrust the door open,

Expecting a wraith or a ghost to bite or bark.

Only to be answered by a deafening silence,

Nothing to be found in the dark.

Staring down the hollow black hallway,

Unsatisfied with the answer I received.

I must venture into the blackness,

If I am going to get any relief.

Step by step. I walk down the haunted hall,

Hoping not to be swallowed by fear.

Every step draws me closer,

To what I know is here.

Entering the dark living room,

Feeling so exposed.

Yet nothing sturs or moves,

And all the windows and doors are closed.

A chilly breeze runs up my spine,

Like a cold winter night.

I turn Slowly to face the darkness.

Only to be greeted with a fright.

A monster! At least ten feet tall,

Towering above me.

No time to scream or shriek,

I grab the first thing I see.

Smashing the monster with all my might,

It tumbles against the wall.

Falling to the ground,

The Shadow doesn't look so tall.

Quickly turning on the lights,

Revealing so clear.

A winter coat knocked off its hanger,

Relieved I say, "I am all alone in here."

Triumphantly, I return to bed a hero,

Having vanquished the shadowy giant.

Entering into the darkness,

Emerging triumphant.

Turning to my wife I say, "Don't worry. There's nothing to fear."

But alas my words fall on deaf ears.

All that lay next to me are some extra blankets.

Then I say with a sorrowful sigh, "I am all alone in here."