The Hollow that Filled Up the Winter Air

A need spawned a late night journey
that I cared not, really to make;
night's shadows were lined up, silently
lying in wait for evening's chill, to take.

Crooked fingers reaching for the sky
trees silhouetted against the night,
though late, I still needed to visit the mart
so off I walked, with the moon shining bright.

The air out, was really "hollow", and "cold"
much cooler than earlier, that day;
I had to hurry before the night grew too old
and other creatures could arrive out, to play.

I'm not superstitious, or afraid of the dark
I trust my senses, utterly, and exclusively;
but, something happened that was quite, eerily "stark"
on that night, in the dark, at around three.

I sensed a lone presence, just out of range
of something my eye couldn't "spy";
I never did see it, but it was sooo strange
there was anguish in it's horrible, cry!

Then, this thing started running ever so swift
and the direction it headed....was mine!
A vehicle passed, so I flagged for a "lift"
but, I wasn't treated nearly, so kind!

I arrived at the market, and squeezed through the door
this market was open all night,
there wasn't a soul in the entire store
but, it sure felt good to be bathed in the "light"!

I paid for my purchases, and I turned to the night
but comfortable, I just could not feel;
my senses were telling me, all was not right
and then, danger....suddenly felt, "real"!

One may just consider that, it was quite late
and I might've been tired from my day;
but I like to think that, I just cheated "fate"!
by hurrying, and getting out of it's way!

Several weeks later we had a full moon
and was reminded what could've been my plight,
it cried out again, and it was way too soon
to be reminded of my "close call", that night.

I count all my blessings, fate's smiled on me
I squeaked by, by the hairs on my head;
where I almost got eaten, I lived to go free
I could've been hurt.......or worse; "dead"!

What troubles me more than, what gave me "chase"
is what "vacuumed", and "hollowed" the air?
I go out, sometimes.......just to save "face"
but, you try going out late..........if you dare!