In the shadows

  Of the lake,

  At the bottom;

  Unawake -

  Unaware

  As are you -

  As is fair

  Entering.

  Pure foolishness.

  But how were

  You to know.

  Lingering.

  A death sentence.

  as ever

  You still go.

  In the trough

  Of the waters,

  Stirring and unfed;

  Unafraid -

  Undeclared

  As are you -

  As is fair

  Simmering.

  Beneath the surface.

  Terror, terrors

  Both accursed.

  Shivering.

  One has surfaced.

  Yet the other,

  Hides its purpose.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  In the blanket

  Of the night

  Comes an ancient dread;

  Unbarred -

  Unsnared

  Unlike you -

  Who has dared

  To enter -

  Undisclosed

  To wander -

  Their abode

  Unlike you, Encroacher

  This has always

  Been their home.

  In the trap

  Of the habitants

  You failed to notice;

  The tightening noose -

  As it closes

  They;

  In the shadows

  In the trough

  In the blanket

  Of the lake

  Of the waters

  Of the night

  At the bottom;

  Stirring and unfed;

  Comes an ancient dread;

  You;

  Unaware, as they’re

  Undeclared—Unbarred

  From your fare;

  They’re awake -

  On their mind

  but two things

  You’re afraid -

  They see you

  Their eyes; they eat you

  They’re known -

  You feel dread

  to the bone, you’re alone

  You’re aware -

  And you can only

  Feel despair, they’re there

  They’re declared -

  You see them both

  Around and beneath you

  You’re barred -

  From the edges

  of the lake, they eat you

  No deeper meaning

  Nor malice In their actions

  Only you, their prey

  And their hunger

  This is the order

  How its always been

  The weak are eaten

  So the strong may live

  You want to live.

  As do they.

  As is fair.