The shadow man came in the dead of night
Slithered into my bed, curled against me, tight
I bid him speak, yet he said not a word
No face could be seen, but his breath could be heard

I felt his smile, pressed to my back
his wicked grin curling through the black
I could not turn ‘round scared to look on his eyes
that he’d end me if ever his foul gaze met mine

When the shadow man left, he rolled out’ my bed
dragging his feet on the carpet, like one of the dead
his nails scratched the sheets and scored the door-facing
I held my breath, til’ certain he’d gone, my heart racing.