Come to Kill You – A Poem by Sheila English

 

The sound of fallen glass

In an empty room

Bang! Crack! Echo…

Footsteps on carpeted stairs

Thump… thump… thump…

The handle of the bedroom door moves

Rattle… rattle… rattle…

An unseen hand opens the door

Click… squeak… silence…

Silhouette and shadow move through the room

Swish… bump… woosh…

The covers are pulled from the foot of the bed

Slow… steady… pulling…

There is no one standing there

Breath… hiss… silence…

An invisible hand compresses the throat

Gasp! Struggle! Wheeze…

It comes into focus as the final breath is drawn

No! No! No!

Your greatest sin has come to kill you

What do you see?