The Shadow Behind

something that was rather scary several years ago

The Shadow Behind

 

The shadow behind is ready to pounce

A gut twisting fear takes the very last ounce

Of strength …to stay out there in the light.

Keep walking, don’t drift to the left or the right.

 

Stay there on the path, where it’s easy to see

And the shadow behind slinks back to a tree.

Faster and faster, feet move on the track;

Terrified eyes feel the need to look back.

 

Whisper of footstep keeps pace on the grass

Keeping so close, never trying to pass.

In her mad haste, feet catch in her skirt

She stumbles and falls, face first in the dirt.

 

Quick as a flash, she is up on her knees

And sees a dark shape head back to the trees,

Up on her feet, she is off like a shot,

The shadow behind breaks into a trot.

 

She’s running fast now but fears it’s too late

And then in the distance she sees her front gate.

The shadow is close… she feels the hot breath

Her breath gasping now, ‘tis a race to the death.

 

Feet flying fast, barely touching the ground

The shadow keeps pace, still making no sound.

She raced through her gate, her door opens wide

A quick sudden spurt and she’s safely inside.

 

Heat pounding hard, and fighting back tears

Aware of the shape that lurks in the trees,

Now too afraid … to be alone in the dark,

Never more will she walk all alone, in the park.

 

ã Copyright jen-JG December 2007

Author's Note

anything you wish to say honesty is good

Reviews

[Jason Henry]

phew! that was a close one...overall great rhythm and rhyme. i read this so fast! my heart beat was even elevated haha!

[Michelle Tarnowski]

I think I started to have some anxiety reading that. I was waiting for something horrible to happen and hoping it wouldn't while imagining what the lurker looked like, smelt like and hearing the sound of it's breath and steps. I was running right along with you. Chilling

[DarkIriswriter]

this poem keeps me aware of predator at the break of twilight.The foretelling in the poem is like it is a real life situation.i have to be honest it was great reading it.love the mind images I am getting.

sara

[Lorraine Pearson]

This is a HALLOWEEN write...and I heard "Thriller" playing in the background, and Vincent Price was reading it! Brilliant piece and a wonderful rhyming scheme! BRAVO! I just love the energy here Jen!
~Lorraiyne

[Jessi]

WOW i love this it woderfully written and kept me reading great write!!!!

[Brette Medb]

Creepy. Whether imagined foe or real, walking alone at night in a park can always inspire paranoia. The fear was extremely tangible in this and I liked the way you used the descriptive words to portray that. Every sense was used and it showed through. Great write!

Brette

[Jessi]

Very well written I enjoyed read this alot. Its my kind of stuff. I like it alot

[Norma J. Jessee]

Jen this was a great read. I raced down that road with you, although I can safely say that I made it through the door way ahead of you, that's why your door flew open when you reached it. lol

Seriously tho this was great. I could almost feel hot breath on the back of my neck, it was that real. and the pacing was fantastic,

Great work.

[Winter McPherson]

Ooo...I could feel your fear. Seriously. Great rhyme and tempo. I'd love to know the back story on this. :)

[Antony]

Jen, you had my heart pounding on this one. this was a hair raising poem and the pace was so much a part of the fear, excellent, I almost thought she wouldn't make it. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!. Just kidding.
Tony