I find solace in the shadows
the darkness calms my nerves
the coolness reduces the burn
of life's pains and the sun

Other creatures lurk here
some evil, some subhuman
others slither or skitter
nocturnal things in the day

Still, there are times
in the darkest corners
red eyes glow
and bifurcated tails swish

Creeping critters
with low pitched growl
stay just out of sight
blurs in the peripheral vision

The there is the chair
the one I sit in
next to the cooler
in my trees shadow shade