The Devil Came Down To Georgia

The click-clack of claws against wood

Follows me into my bed

Floorboards creak under its weight

As on the pillow, I rest my head

I know better than to turn and look

I’ve done it once before

A grisly sight of burning flesh

Hanging awkwardly, I saw

Its horns were large and disjointed

Eye set ablaze with hell itself

Steam billowed from large nostrils

As it unhinged its gaping mouth

I learned as a youngster not to look

For attention helps it thrive

To never glance in my peripheral

Ignore it - Stay alive.

But its breath is hot on my neck

So I pull the covers around me, tight

Beads of sweat caress my face

As I repeat- I’ll be alright

Just don’t look, you must ignore it

That is all I have to do

Don’t turn and stare it in the eyes

For the legends have proved true

An easy feat, you might say

Only one rule that does the trick

But the creature brings an atmosphere

The air turns hot and thick

And I know it’s there in an instant

If I stop dead in my tracks

And listen intently to the quiet

As it approaches from the back

The very same time, like clockwork

It reveals itself at night,

And chases me up the creaking stairs

My legs trembling with fright

My hair stands to attention

My heart hammers, picking up its pace

As I dare to turn the lights off at night

And to my bed I race