Pushed to the edge of despair

this rocky place offers no hope

fear lapping ankles around

against empty waters we grope

*

silent, though nothing is still

fear pounds loudly our hearts

no where have we left to hide

cold surrounds each, every part

*

though I stand here in a crowd

ice-cube tray we all huddle

so alone am I in this moment

shivering my blood froths til

it bubbles

*

the predator, dark he has come

my bones weaken and shudder

they know but their glance faints away

no consolation have we left to utter

*

past this place my eyes strain to gaze

beyond, bare feet rub raw

our ancestors’ bones all the same

torn clean, foul consuming claw

*

child’s distant cry distills thoughts

though sanguine I have become

what courage there once was

I offer myself that you might run

*

slowly the creature now circles

selection part of its way

it has broken much in its jaws

I offer to be its next prey

*

Large “It” opens like a cave

stalactite are its teeth that rake

dripping with frosty blood

putrid tunnel offers no escape

*

will memory mine be but a creature belch

bravery had run out its course

screaming meets my ears

 my own that have now been scorched

*

I am but an appetizer

“flee” last words from my lips

“before you become the main meal”

metered crunching I hear as it rips

*

how quiet are the skulls

resting as stones a score

laying once living and free

no more on this cavernous floor

~ Leslie Moon

© Copyright 2014 Leslie Moon. All Rights Reserved