Dread at Dark

Here the silence is unbreakable,
Here the gloom is all but wakable.

I cannot sleep but what is that?
A drawn breath from under the mat?

I dare not turn around and see,
If it is I or perchance we.

But see now! The candle's out!
Darkness prevails-there is no doubt,

A wraith, a ghost. What is there?
I cannot look! I shall not dare!

The shadow rises and I quaver,
It seems to twist, and turn, and waver.

Closer still till feel its grasp,
My throat it's cold fingers clasp.

I cannot move, my limbs are numb.
I cannot speak my mouth is dumb.

A frantic pounding fills my brain.
My heart is beating but in fain.

My body cannot stand the strain.
My body, oh! Wracked with pain.

Help! Oh help! But no one hears.
I see it now, its awful leers.

Nearer still it comes and comes,
A dreadful song it grimly hums.

Now reaches out a bony hand,
And touches me as if to demand,

My life and all I ever had,
From now since when I was a lad.

T'was a deathly touch and I am done.
I feel it now, the cold begun.

Chill breeze stiffens the bone,
I try to cry but naught but moan,

Escapes from me, oh pitiful me.
It is hopeless to ask for mercy,

I am powerless to resist.
No hope for parley or for it to desist.

The world spins with increasing speed,
I am incapable of thought, word or deed.

As grining face receeds in the dark,
It leaves me to die alone. But hark!

The darkness splits and light does glow!
Too late! The cold covers from head to toe!

I am fading! I am dieing!

It is the end!