Creature in the Night

The darkest sky was like a blanket thrown over me.

I’d count the tiny stars, admiring their twinkling.

There was a creature moving in the woods that night.

The noise woke me up, giving me quite the fright.

I peeked outside my tent to see what made the sound,

What I saw were two red eyes, peering beside a dirt mound.

“There’s no need to panic,” I said to myself.

Even if I screamed, nobody was there to help.

A deep rumble escaped the throat of the beast.

I was wide awake now, no need for sleep.

I tried to calm my nerves, because I’m sure I was too tense,

but I had to focus, preparing myself for self-defense.

I waited about ten minutes, as quiet as I could be,

hoping the strange creature would decide to leave me.

Checking outside, I didn’t see a thing,

as if the entire thing had been a dream.

My heart was still pounding, my face covered in sweat,

then it became to rain, and my tent got soaking wet.

I decided to chance it, packing up in the middle of the storm,

so I could return home, where I could be safe and warm.

It was a difficult night, and I’m still not sure what it was,

but that’s okay, I don’t need to find out “just because.”