ThUmP.tHuMp.ThUmP.
her heart pounds in her ears
dRRRip..dRRRip..dRRRip..
leaks her fountain of tears
…tick…tick…TOCK
whispers the clock on the wall
cRRRREEEAAAk….
opens the door from the hall

tip TAP…tip TAP
the shadow tip-toes to her bed
SSSsssSSSSssss
the snake creeps along her bedspread
…shhhhhh…
breathes the serpent as he slithers
WHooooosh…whOOsh
the wind sighs as her hope withers

POUND POUND POUND
her little feet hit the floor
SSSSSSS
the snake follows; he won’t be ignored
BANG
she slips in the kitchen before the beast
ssssssss
the serpent will have his feast

click
the front door opening from the hallway
ssssSSSSSsss
the serpent hurridley slips away
snap
her mother turns on the light
thump…thump…thump
the snake can’t hurt her tonight