One night when I was weary
I lay dreaming things quite dreary
Dreaming of a time when many
Might have thought of me a bore

When I heard a sound behind me
And it came to me unkindly
Like a banging, something clanging
By the window near the door

The room was heavy darkened
And I woke with such a start and
I could feel the fear a creeping, sneaking
Chilling in my heart

Alone I had been sleeping
And the noise was not in keeping
And the noise was not from me
It was apart

So I turned and looked behind
And was hoping there to find
Some small thing that caused the clatter
Something fallen near the door

As my eyes they did adjust
In the darkness there I cussed
And I rolled and then I fell upon the floor

Grabbing lamp I stood in anger
Full of worry for the danger
Being ready there to toss it
At the maker of that sound

And my hair coursed up my spine
As I look in there to find
And do battle,
and to try and hold my ground

So I stared towards the window
Full of darkness that small window
Darkened window in the corner
In the corner near the door

When another sound it gripped me
And I stumbled, nearly tripped me
Was a sound again but not quite like before

It was very close in keeping
Just behind me it was creeping
Creeping slowly right behind me
As I spun around in awe

Then my nemesis revealed
Out of fear I almost yield
He stood so close
I stared quite deeply in his eye

And the table lamp I dropped
Smashed on table where it stopped
I was positive that I would surely die

All my functions having left,
Frozen stiff and all bereft
I fell on knee, my senses shattered, all agog
Then as my faculties regained
And as my terror slowly waned
I reached out gently
And I patted my old dog

Clemo