View Single Post
  #3  
Unread 07-19-2017, 02:15 AM
Ann Drysdale's Avatar
Ann Drysdale Ann Drysdale is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Old South Wales (UK)
Posts: 6,667
Default

Facing the Demon

It was the time before time, before his first wristwatch
but he watched for its coming from the high appointed place.
On time? Who knew? But expected, inevitable,
it came small and muttering between the hedges,
coloured like meadowsweet, thinking to hide itself
among the dusty green and the pale plumes of it,
feigning innocence like a flickering lizard
under the sloping rays of the time-to-go sun.

Now he could hear the familiar arrogant challenge –
I come I go, I come I go, as it rocked to its own music
along the bright track that was singing beneath his feet.

Now it saw him and roared, its lances thrusting alongside,
the grey plume rising and swelling and fizzing with stars.
He stood his ground, repelling the terrible chanting –
rumpeta rumpeta rumpeta – with a long scream
that began as the blunt head entered the space beneath him
and became a triumphant gasp as the tail trailed through.

But the thick plume stayed, rising before and behind him
to make a dark handshake over his unbowed head,
sprinkling hot grit to nip and tickle his skin.
Slowly it thinned and went and he headed back happy,
taking the bitter stink of it home in his hair.
Reply With Quote