The Encounter

• Crystal Phillips, Grade 9
• Poetry
• 2010

The moon shone down that night upon a frightful scene,
As a fearsome monster lurked behind a tattered screen.
Slowly stumbling down a slippery stair,
I thought to myself, look out, beware.
I heard the monster’s growl and it gave me more than a fright,
To see jagged claws that were blacker than the night.
It glared at me and sent shivers down my spine
As it whispered to me slowly, “You will be mine.”
The horrible claws lashed out as it began to strangle me.
I failed to burst out scream, my body shook uncontrollably.
I was fighting for my life, the light fading fast.
Images flashed through my mind, all thoughts from my past.
I heard screams, but my vision was blurred, all was unclear.
This would not happen; I couldn’t let the life in me disappear.
I could finally breathe again, I appeared ghostly white.
A hand reached out to touch me and said, “Are you all right?”