deepundergroundpoetry.com

In the Basement

In the Basement!

I�ve seen fear on the face of men in war,
that wide-eyed riveted gaze,
on mine in front of some foes with guns
who intended to extinguish my days.
Yet nothing could ever prepare me
for this tale I�m compelled to present
about hauling wet clothes to a dryer
downstairs in my buddy�s basement.

First the lights went out, I dropped the load.
The basement silence held two sounds,
like knives slicing air in the distance
and thudding feet walking soft ground.
I lunged for the stairway in darkness.
Something scraped at my ribcage so!
At the top of the stairs, I could just see the door,
only seven steps to go.

Its breath singed hairs on the back of my neck.
I jumped two steps, leaving five.
I bounded two more and that left me three
with the monster on my heels and alive.
I lunged for the door, ope� and closed it.
All in one motion, I did!
It snarled and pounded and pounded.
My escape must have blown its lid.

Each pounding lifted me off the door.
Cracked wood pieces propelled to the floor.
Ejected like bullets were door hinge screws.
Wood began crumbling.
It was coming through!
I shivered and sweated in silent fright.
Awaiting the crash! Awaiting the fight!
Then suddenly, all went silent
and again my ears heard the sound.
Knifeclaws slicing air in the distance
started fading and melting, going down.
The breath returned to my body
and the sweat began to dry.
Why it stopped? I�ll never know.
I�m lucky and I won�t ask why!

When I told my vacationing buddy,
he chuckled and said I was crazed
but I saw him back home from vacation today
with his wide-eyed riveted gaze.
So don�t laugh at anyone saying,
�There�s a Monster in your basement, my friend.�
You can bet your sweet life, I would never forget it
or ever chuckle again!

Namyh