Old Scratch

Once upon a late night sleeping
while the willow tree was weeping
under the countless starry eyes,
came a scratching through the plaster,
slow at first then somewhat faster,
to our displeasure and surprise.

We became much more unsettled
as the nail-like din so nettled
from in back of the bedroom wall;
claws on blackboard scuffing eerie,
we from workaday now weary,
upon the edge with sheet and shawl.

Like a thicket brush-like thrashing,
peace and quiet mien dispatching
like some entity held in chain;
it increased as we now neared it,
curious though we still feared it,
like confinement ensnared in pain.

Slowly in our night assessment,
need to know our one investment,
along the wall we placed an ear;
then like cold producing shivers,
black with evil flowing rivers,
Beelzebub was very near.

Through the window flashing higher,
meteor with tail of fire
cast down to Earth, O Morning Star!
Now in wall with stud and wire
evil with endless desire,
O Lucifer, that’s where you are!

Once upon a late night hearing
with the bane of scratch appearing
beyond the wall and in-between,
Satan scratching soulless seeking
yet no voice of darkness speaking,
for it is heard but never seen.

Lines 36