once upon a winter's evening

Once upon a winter’s evening, while I strolled to reach my dwelling

Through a dark and gloomy forest where I seldom happ’d to dare,

Suddenly I felt a haunting, warning of some villain wanting –

Wanting to inflict a scare upon a victim unaware.

I his victim unaware.

“Woe is me” I spake in terror, “he indeed may be the bearer

Of a tragedy unspoken if he finds me unaware.”

Thus I turned and searched behind me, searched for him with plans unkindly.

Naught I saw and did continue on my way despite the scare,

On my way with no despair.

As I wandered through the darkness, there again I sensed a presence

Watching me with fright’ning menace, hateful eyes and spirit heartless.

Turned I then to face my enemy, how I longed to see him there!

But the path behind was empty, save the trees which rustled there

Rustled in the nightly air.

Oh the nightly air that whispered warnings grave of pending trouble!

Heeded I its pressing message and my pace I quickly doubled.

Walking swift, now swiftly jogging, soon I found that I was running,

Running to I knew not where, running where I did not care.

Running, running anywhere.

Anywhere, save toward that villain, unperceived and ghost-like villain,

Whom, despite how far I tore through forests dense and fog galore,

Evermore I felt behind me, haunting me with presence chilling.

Nor could I escape the score of whispers I could not ignore.

Whispers I had heard before.

Whispers bidding me “Beware.”

On and on I pushed my fleeing – ever fleeing never seeing,

Seeing that unearthly being following me everywhere.

Evermore I felt his spirit; evermore I hurried from it,

Nevermore again to feel assured of safety anywhere.

So I’ve slipped into despair.