It Lurks- By Susan Thomas

It's not supposed to happen,
not to you anyway.
We all think it
as we watch that movie
with a over sized bowl of popcorn.
Stories of possession and demonic hauntings
just don't happen in the real world
but the thought is fearful.
It seems ridiculous and absurd.
When that evil creeps into your home
you can't accept it.
Things like that don't happen.
You make excuses
for what can't be explained.
It was the TV.
It was the wind.
It was only a dream.
Ignore the chill creeping up your spine.
Ignore the terror in your gut.
Never mind you avoid going home.
Those arguments that come from nowhere
that make no sense
that have no winner
are just part of human nature.
Your babe's spine tingling scream of terror,
is just a cry.
He must be hungry.
The evil intensifies.
Growling, cursing, yelling
all with that rancid voice.
Surely it was your imagination.
Nothing to worry about.
Still you begin to pray more.
Prayer once a chore
now a small comfort.
You still run from acceptance,
but ask the pastor to bless the house.
Perhaps it will ease your stomach.
In the back of your mind
you know the truth
as the crosses on the walls begin to multiply.
Still in denial
the evil angry
it wants you gone
it will do anything to make you leave.
It attacks your precious babe.
The sound of your boy
unable to breathe
terrifies you to your very soul.
Rush in horror to his crib
he can breathe now
he screams in terror
The claw like hand print
on his chest
jars you from your slumber of denial.
It dared attack your baby.
You curse the thing.
Let it know that God dwells with your family.
You know you haven't the strength for this battle.
You know it's time to leave.
You pack
praying it doesn't follow
praying that god will protect your family
You leave
and never return
to that house where evil lives.