Casting out the ashes from a stolen breeze,

Winds fierce breath holding captive autumn leaves.

Instances and echo’s freeform in midst of flight,

Bringing forth the wrath of a black moon night.

Restless cycle, taut nerves come undone

Deep, dark, place and I have not strength to run,

But I must. Oh, I must leave this world behind,

Piece by piece it takes your heart, steals your mind.

And the land shook savagely throwing particles of dust

The Shadow beast rises ‘neath the earths cold, cold, crust.

His mighty jaws opened wide emitting a thunderous roar,

Heated tempers of rage on phantom wings he soared.

I could feel him near. His icy breath touching my skin,

Circling, teasing, taunting me over and over again.

Stand still time for no movement forwards or back,

Within reach, always just a touch never an attack.

Though he could. Yes. He really could rip me apart.

Such razor sharp claws could shred a beating heart.

I cannot see. I stumble for vision is clouded by tears

So cruel is he teasing causing me such fear.

One fatal swipe, savage rage higher the moon will rise,

Chasing his shadow reaching for the darkened sky.

Perhaps he had forgotten I remained on the ground,

No, he had not forgotten he was just turning around.

I screamed. Ah, such havoc he was about to cause,

Full speed, never a slowing, never so much as a pause.

On mighty wings swiftly he attacked. I screamed

Sitting upright in bed, such a horrible dream.

Was it a dream or had I been to the Black Moon night?

So real it seemed and I still carried such a fright.

How could I find the truth? Did I even want to know?

I tried to move, but there was nowhere I could go.

His thunderous roar and I shivered for he comes,

Down below underneath the earth, there is no sun.

Even in death I cannot escape for there is not a way,

The Shadow beast holds my life’s termination at bay.

© Cynthia Clark