My eyes shut, suddenly drifting off
The earthy smell of backyard fills my nostrils
A telling sign of any kid’s perfect summer day
Breaking the bliss, I look up…I see his teeth
Three rows of giant discolored crooked fangs
The garish sight leaves me suddenly petrified
His jaw unhinges like he’s awaiting his next meal
Puzzled by his intentions, I finally realize…
Is that me?
A brilliant delicacy at my front door
Frozen in fear, one could not ask for more
Pair it with deathcaps or perhaps some fermented eyes
Wash it all down with some fine aged blood wine
Salivating, black drool, my appetite’s voracity
Surely, it knows this isn’t imaginary
I cry for mom with only his cruel laugher in return
Harrowing, I count out loud, just hoping: 1, 2, 3
I peer through sweaty fingers and see, still staring, his inky, wretched eyes
Full of cruelty, echoing from this dark cold chamber
I turn to run and suddenly hard stone stairs appear
Each step a different height than the last
Panting, thinking progress is being made
A glance over my shoulder…
I’m back where I began
Maybe this time I’ll forget the mercy
Be sure to add heaps and heaps of misery
It’s kill time and my gut grinds, my wherewithal
I reach out with my footlong claws
A precious feast with some exquisite comedy
Surely, it knows this isn’t imaginary
I shake my head, this can’t be real
His acrid breath bites the back of my neck
I draw a deep, shaky breath, to dismiss the quivering
I hesitantly turn to the abomination…
“You’re Imaginary”
The bright summer rays pry open my still sleepy eyes
Panting, my breathing like I ran a marathon
My hands dance frantically, feeling around for any wounds
After inspecting the room, a sigh of relief escapes my lips
Surely, it knows I’m not imaginary…
WILDsound Writing Festival 