Swallowed by the Darkness

Clumps of grey cloud scudded across a metallic sky

In the west, ribbons of brilliant pink and orange slashed across the horizon like fire

I walked towards a faint light in the sky where the moon tried to escape

An encroaching embrace of dark clouds

Only to be finally

Swallowed by the darkness

My breath came in strangled gasps as I tried to increase my pace, but something

Weeds in the overgrown yard perhaps

Seemed to grab at my feet and ankles

Bare feet, cold in the grey mud

Leeches dropping from the chartreuse canopy to slither down my neck

And puncture my pulsating arteries

I paused at the steps, staring up at the grey shamble of a porch

The front screen door swung wildly in the wind

Banging and screeching like some trapped beast

On the Eastern Front, gigantic elk stood

Silhouetted against artillery flashes

I ran at them swinging my scythe at their obscene racks

Struggling up the steps reaching out to stop the screen crashing

Ragged edges of screen tore the skin from my hand

Swollen blue veins spurted fresh, red blood, along my forearm

So much blood

The steely smell of it

Its thick, gooey feel

My heart slammed against my chest

And great gouts of sweat burned my eyes

I knew I would go in there

And I did

And there I am

Swallowed by the darkness