Fright Time

Steeple lit by lightning loud Moon that's full peeks round a cloud Trudging through the churchyard mud Unwise shortcut: THUD, THUD, THUD! The sound is muted ’neath my feet No one there I wish to meet Sodden hair and soaked to skin Contemplate my every sin Thunder, lightning, crackling air Time to hightail out of there Prickling skin: can’t hang around Portentous skies and groaning ground Slipping sliding progress thwarted Planned escape at once aborted Through the storm the church bells chime Shadowed figure… asks the time Where he came from I don’t know Neither did I see him go Stood alone in worsened shower Still his voice enquires the hour Flight, not fight my first reaction Once my feet acquired traction Reached the exit P.D.Q. Asked the time by who knows who Homeward through the icy rain Darkness asks the time again Local paper on the mat Front page headline tells us that Town remembers Howard Peak, Funeral was held this week Police have found no weapon nor The watch that he was murdered for