Battoo

The boy climbs the basement stairs
Sees a bat dangling down
Hanging in the doorway
Is it a threat?
A little beast?
A vampire in repose?
The child thinks in the twilight
Then decides:
Proceeds with care
While glancing up
Seeing those beady eyes
Then through the door
Into his mother's arms
Then in later years
The bat appears
Inked on his shoulder
A companion for life
Friends 'til the end
Whatever comes.