Don't Look Back

Don’t Look Back
By Brandon Palzkill

Thump, thump… thump, thump…

The woman makes her way home

after a long day;

thump, thump… thump, thump…

She walks down the sidewalk,

enveloped by the darkness;

thump, thump… thump, thump…

She walks alone,

but is she alone?

thump, thump, thump, thump...

The pavement pounds behind her,

echoing steps drawing nearer;

thump, thump, thump, thump…

She wants to turn and look behind,

but can’t bear what’s waiting;

thump, thump, thump, thump…

She quickens her pace,

trying to catch her speeding heart;

thumpthumpthumpthump…

Her follower matches her,

drawing nearer still;

thumpthumpthumpthump…

Breaking into a run,

hoping to outrace the devil;

THUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMP…

She panics, she screams;

does no one hear her?

THUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMP…

It’s too late, it’s caught her;

she turns to meet her fate;

THUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMP…

Nothing… nothing at all;

how could that be?

thump, thump, thump, thump…

She must have imagined it,

an auditory hallucination;

thump, thump, thump, thump…

Warm, glowing, blessed relief;

all is we-

thump, thump, thu…