Fear's Midnight Outing

A movement of shadow
as something comes near,
unseen and unknown
the most primal of fear.

All light is extinguished
as sun sets overhead,
moon is but new
and fear needs to be fed.

The hapless explorer:
a wanderer or thief,
lost without light
finds the climax of grief.

Darkness ensues,
comes from every niche,
the traveler smells death
and shudders a flinch.

The traveler is frozen
and knows not where to go,
the shade shifts and leaps
with an unnatural flow.

Then in a flash,
darkness, no sight,
the traveler is gone-
-it's the end of his plight.

Fear now appeased
retreats to its den,
and awaits a new night
to feed upon men.