Hell Hound

Juniper trees
Illumined by moonlight
An evening breeze
Plays over the brown, dead leaves

A creeping feeling
Makes its crawly way
Across my scalp
A tingling thingling -
A harbinger
Of ghastlies to come
That make me wish for help

It's probably something harmless
I tried to assure myself
But then sharp and thunderous sounds
Like a thousand door knockers
Banged by a thousand creatures
Intent on entry
Shattered the silence

It was the clickety clackety claws
On the non-pedicured paws
The slavering, slathering drip-drop jaws
Of a loathesome beast that gnaws

Oh pernicious pooch
Black Dog from Hell
I crave no dalliance with you,
Fearsome animal of the night

It nodded in assent
And eyed me
With a most salacious
And somewhat sagacious expression
Knowing
I would soon be the feast
Of this horrid beast

Undoubtedly
A leash could not restrain him

No crucifix
Or holy water would protect me

So those of us lacking religious zeal
May find we make a tasty meal