The clangorous sound aroused me from slumber,
the pounding and banging sounded like thunder.
Startled, I shook in terrified wonder
that my front door would be torn asunder.

               Knock! Knock! Knock!
               Knock! Knock! Knock!                                   

Quiet, I cautiously crept  toward the door,
careful to step around the creaks in the floor.
A feeling of dread seeping into my core
as I drew closer to the sonorous roar.

               Knock! Knock! Knock!
               Knock! Knock! Knock!                                   

Who is it? I cry in a quivering shout,
shrinking away as someone shuffled about.
Terror and consternation filled me with doubt
as I waited to hear what this was about.

               Let! Us! In!                                   
               Let! Us! In!                                   

Please may we use your phone to call for a ride?
If you were to say yes we can come inside.
We will not hurt you, we have nothing to hide.
I glanced at my watch in disturbance and sighed.

               Let! Us! In!                                   
               Let! Us! In!

I slowly turned the key in the deadbolt lock.
I opened the door glad the screen was still blocked.
Leaned forward peering closely as I took stock
of the children before me on the porch rock

               Can? You? Help?
               Can? You? Help??

Although they did seem quite innocent enough,
my unease had swelled until I could not bluff.
My throat quickly tightened and my heart beat rough
as the two boys were made of nightmarish stuff. 

               Can? You? Help?                                   
               Can? You? Help?

I lost my footing with a scream on the rise,
unable to explain their loathsome disguise.
I felt bolts of horror and haunting surprise
when I finally saw their solid black eyes.

               Who? Are? You?
               Who? Are? You?

We will not hurt you, we just want to go home.
We’re two little boys in the dark and alone.
So would you please let us in to use your phone?
We will be quick for all the kindness you’ve shown.

               Who? Are? You?
               Who? Are? You?

Something inside my weary soul pleaded no.
Do not let them in and do not let them know
that their untimely presence here is as though
the red devil himself was about to show.

               Go! A-way!
               Go! A-way!

My heart exploded through the bones of my chest.
I backed away from my malevolent guests
my body convulsing at their odd request
and slammed the door loudly in frightened protest.

               Go! A-way!
               Go! A-way!

I hid in the shadows to escape their gaze
and peered through the storm window to watch their ways.
Quite sure I was suffering mental malaise 
when I saw their solid black eyes were ablaze.

               Shh! Shh! Shh!
               Shh! Shh! Shh!

I know not their intent or what they imply
when they continue to plead when they stop by.
Night after night until the morning sun flies,
torturing my soul with their solid black eyes.

               Shh! Shh! Shh!
               Shh! Shh! Shh!