Most species of rattlesnakes control
just how much venom
they release into their prey.

The hemotoxin destroys tissue,
clots blood and sometimes
causes a severe paralysis.

A necrosis:
a caused premature death
in its victims.

Now, as far as monsters go.

The rattlesnake is one that scares me
less than the ones I've seen of late.

The rattlesnake offers its victims a chance to run.
Before the venom is released.
Before the deadly bite.

Before the pain
and the paralysis.
There is a rattle.
Tss - tss - tss

A warning for the victim
tss - tss - tss
to run.

The monsters I've seen of late,
they have a rattle, too.
But it serves a different purpose.

tss - tss - tss

It serves to reel, meant
to draw their victim in.

tss - tss - tss

A drum beat.
A dance, a club.
Bodies meet.

tss - tss - tss

A forked tongue, and a flash.  

The venom consumed:
uncontrolled.

And still
tss - tss - tss

The rattle goes on.

The victim sees no danger.
Rather comfort in a monster's smile.

The deadly bite,
it happens next.

And the necrosis,
the premature death,
begins to take hold.

A darkness consumes the conscious.

A paralysis takes to the body and mind.

The victim no longer has control.
No longer herself.

Fear, now is only of the monster --
no longer that of
snakes and clowns.

And nightmares make what memory exists replay.

tss - tss - tss

The darkness consumes again and finally.
And the rattle continues.