darkness,
friendly yet brisk
encompasses me
this night

no black dog,
yapping,
barking,
biting...

much more likely to be,

a black cat
so sleek
and sinuous,
slipping
in and out
between my legs
in a figure of eight loop
waiting,
willing, 
wanting, 
to trip me up

or sitting staring,
with golden eyes
inscrutable.
into my
deep and secret places
only to find them,
shallow
and
muddy puddles

or stalking me,
with intent to supper.
upon hearing
my heart flutter
with a small bird's panic

or worse yet
curling up
comfortable
in my lap
purring
and
pricking
at my soul
settling in for the night
as I stroke
the soft darkness
friendly, yet .....

malevolent

for behind the purr,
a hiss,
a paw of claws
and teeth sharp
bloodthirsty
waiting,
willing,
wanting,
to bite the hand,
to rend the flesh,
to hunt
and
devour
the delicate,
frantic
heart.