Awakening the Beast

Oh, he was there….he was always there for he knew that we would come shuffling, giggling, laughing, seemingly taunting so he would wait, setting his trap. Silence grew as we neared his lair fear stifling the need to breathe leaders reluctantly falling behind for “that” moment would come, And it did!!! A snarl, a growl, a scream the thunder of frightened feet fleeing struggling – not to be first – but not to be last his phantom breath closing on our too short legs. We crumbled in the safety of the schoolyard hysterical in our joy, rollicking on the tarmac choking on our own laughter, knowing the challenge of awakening the beast. John G. Lawless ©10/12/2019