Into the Woods To Save Another

I ceased to be me when I heard the young one’s screams.
They were coming from the woods, between my two streams.
Her shrieking was terrifyingly real, not like on fantasy TV.
It felt like a young woman was being murdered 
which was good enough for me.

I ran for our big floodlight, without thinking about myself at all.
Into the woods we ran, my three dogs, me and my bravest cousin, Paul.
Her shrieks sounded closer now. They were the loudest to our right.
Suddenly something grabbed me by my arm. It was the biggest fright!

A voice whispered close to my ear, “Shh!” as a man held me into place.
Greatly relieved to hear Paul, as I could not in the dark see his face.
“Don’t you know what that is?” he whispered. “What?” I barely whispered back.
“That’s a bobcat’s cry,” he told me. “If it is threatened, it might attack.”

We immediately headed back to the house. The dogs followed 
a few hours later.
The last time I was this scared, we were in Florida, 
where I had seen a wild, loose alligator.


Written January 8, 2019              Contest: Into The Woods
                                                        Sponsor: Silent One
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

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Roper Avatar
January 19, 2019 at 11:26 AM
Congratulations on your win,Caren, on a great descriptive and well written poem . :). Hugs Eve ~`*
Krutsinger Avatar
January 19, 2019 at 12:35 PM
Thank you Eve. The truth is always more terrifying than fantasy tries to be.
Jeavons Avatar
January 14, 2019 at 9:57 PM
Caren, I was waiting for a monster to strike! The woods, the dark and the screams all added up to terror! Loved the rhyme.
Krutsinger Avatar
January 14, 2019 at 10:39 PM
I can really write a terrifying story WHEN IT IS TRUE; because that is when I am terrorized, and only then.
Y. Avatar
January 13, 2019 at 8:05 AM
WoW! Caren, Great story telling. It had me on the edge of my seat. I thought to myself is someone really in danger? Who knew what you two would find in the woods. My heart was racing as I kept reading( I was a bit frightened as well). This reads like a true story? Is it a true strory? Thank goodness it wasn't someone really in danger. Congratulations on your 2nd place win. It was well deserved:-) Alexis
Krutsinger Avatar
January 13, 2019 at 10:05 AM
Yes, Alexis, it is not only a true story but I am so easily fooled and naive I tried to run out there in the woods in the dark two different times to save the woman being killed. My husband held me back both times as it always sounds like a woman being murdered.
One Avatar
January 13, 2019 at 7:37 AM
Nice story telling Caren.. Congrats on your placement in the contest..
Krutsinger Avatar
January 13, 2019 at 10:05 AM
Thank you Silent One. I am so happy! Love it when people let me know.
Kiser Avatar
January 9, 2019 at 7:18 AM
Alligators will keep you running. The sad part is that they'll keep up with you then, well...ouch! Well done.
Krutsinger Avatar
January 9, 2019 at 9:47 AM
I know - that is why I am terrified of Florida.
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