Bitey Things
By 'Xevious' Pat Banks
Where am I at? What is this place?
As I walk among
flowing grass
I am so scared my
fear won't pass.
With Octi held in
tight embrace
My heart pounds at a
rapid pace.
There's no one
else. I'm on my own
In this strange place
I've never been
My fateful journey
does begin.
All I see is vast
unknown
As I wander off
alone.
Where have all my
powers gone?
The gift of flight is
what I need.
I prick myself and
now I bleed.
All my strength has
been withdrawn.
Oh, help me, please,
to carry on.
My feet are
worn. I need to rest.
A shady tree where I
can sit
Now offers me a brief
respite.
But hidden in its
woven nest
There is a most
unwelcome guest.
It has eight legs to
creep and crawl.
To sneak up on me as
I lean
Against this shady
tree of green.
With web of silk it
starts to fall.
So stiff with fright
I cannot bawl.
I find the courage
that I lacked.
Jumping from my
resting spot
It's flung away with
one quick shot.
I try to keep myself
intact
But guess what I did
now attract?
The rattle shakes as
if to tell
That death is near if
you so dare
To wander by my
hidden lair.
My own fear is what I
smell.
I want to scream and
shout and yell.
In panicked fear I
spin to flee.
I move so fast I fail
to hear
A pack of creatures
that appear.
They corner me with
savage glee
And flash their
snarling teeth at me.
There's no escape
within my sight.
I check behind me in
the river
Hoping that it will
deliver
A path to freedom
from this fight
And this awful
dreadful plight.
I need to make a
quick withdraw
And scamper to the
other side
To find a warm safe
place to hide.
Before I leap I spy
with awe
A reptile with a
gaping maw.
From both directions
I am bound.
Do I tread into a
slaughter
Or swim across the
deadly water?
The only option I
have found
Is cowering closely
to the ground.
As I await for my
demise
I feel the pant of
their hot breath
Roll down my neck
like steaming death.
It is therefore a
great surprise
Into the wind I
slowly rise.
What is going to
happen there?
What kind of monster
stalks its prey
Of little girls they
wish to slay
High in the sky up in
the air?
I start to cry. It's just not fair.
In the midst of my
sobbing spree
I hear a voice that
tries to calm
My jangled nerves
like soothing balm.
I clear my eyes. What do I see?
The Professor looking
back at me.
He holds me tightly
at his side
and gasps for air in
my tight clench.
With falling tears
his shirt I drench.
My hair is stroked
with rhythmic stride
To try and make my
fit subside.
I feel ashamed. I want to leave.
My sisters point at
me and laugh.
The butt of jokes on
their behalf.
Oh, why must I be so
naïve
To be that scared of
make believe.
Homeward bound, I
will not bring
Those memories of a
creature's wrath.
We stroll along a
concrete path
And exit through a
wrought iron ring
From bitey things
that claw and sting.
You'd think that all
is said and through.
But safe at home I
still can't sleep.
For in the night
those biteys creep.
Here's my advice to
all of you.
Don't take a nap at
Townsville Zoo.
END
This poem was inspired by the Powerpuff Girls comic book #17, 'Bedcrime Story'.
