The flickering light illuminates the drab and dreary night.
Wax and flame from the single candle begins to wane.

Wearily off to bed, downy pillow genially awaits your head.
Up wooden stairs, quiescent senses become keenly aware.

Creaking steep incline slowly trodden one step at a time.
Night's silence broken, without single word heard or spoken.

Rhythmic tic-tock resounds from the ancient mantel clock.
Harmonious musical chimes leaves remnant past behind.

Cascading around the room shadows emulate reaper doom.
They surge and sway in a fiendish, frightful ominous way.

Nervous glance spies a ghastly figures menacing stance.
Your hair stands high; your throat emits shrill but stifled cry.

Demonic brigade aspires to torture, and cart your soul away.
With nowhere to run, you know your meager life is finally done.

Another quick look recognizes your coat hanging from a hook.
With heavy sigh, you search warily about with squinting eyes.

Nothing is there, except the rumpled furnishings setting bare.
Such ridiculous fears, life should be happy and full of cheer.

All will undoubtedly fade, with breaking of a newborn day.
Illusions of mind, even predate obscure and olden times

It's just an eerie show, fashioned by candle's amber glow.
Put your mind at ease, and quiet your knocking knees.

© C.E. Vance