It was late to go out, about ten o’clock.
The sky, it was clear, every star was in sight.
I was taking a stroll down our city block,
When I came upon something strange in the night.

Dark and soundless it crouched there, looking at me.
All I saw were two spots reflecting the light -
Of the streetlamp behind me; where eyes would be.
Tucked away near the steps, it gave me a fright!

I heard a strange sound. Something started to knock.
I started to praying – “Lord, save my life, please!”
Jumped, nearly tumbling, at the strike of the clock!
The knocking turned out to be from my own knees.

That creature, it stayed there, not moving a bit.
But there I stood frozen, as still as a tree.
I wanted to bolt, to avoid being hit -
By what evil sat soundless, staring at me.

I watched it, too helpless to fend for myself.
Then a low sound, like moaning, came from the thing -
Moving into the light, it looked like an elf.
It didn’t take long for my feet to take wing.

My hands, so clammy, my heart started to pound.
I found myself running ahead of the breeze!
To home. Lock the doors. In my room, safe and sound!
Sweet home! I relaxed, became calm by degrees.

Sleep finally took me away from my fright.
I had to see, for curiosity’s sake -
Everything looks different in the morning light.
I was glad that morning, to just be awake.

Cleaned up in a hurry. Got dressed. Took a walk.
Passed by Widow Jones, all in black with that hat.
What happened last night was the neighborhood talk.
Widow Jones saw it all from where she had sat!

I thought, “I’ll look silly. I jumped and I ran.”
“I hope Widow Jones didn’t see what I did.”
She had chased off an evil looking dark man -
He’d come at her slowly, to where she was hid.

Seems that the sweet widow felt lonely that eve -
Had sipped too much sherry before that night’s stroll.
Sat down by her stoop-steps, her head to her sleeve.
Asleep in the dark, her hat looked like a troll!

This may seem a good end, but better than that –
Since all that has happened, we’ve had some long talks.
And I’ve been so thankful for that ugly hat.
We go with each other for all of our walks.

Lin Cava