Dark Hollow Poem by Pradip Chattopadhyay

When lengthens the night’s shadow, on the street the dogs bark
The barn owl strums an eerie tune, from pipal ghosts disembark
I sink in the blanket deep, in its dark secured hollow
Can their eyes still see me, can me still they follow?
When the clouds hide the moon, stars wear shroud of black
The winds rattle the window, floats misty shadow’s track
I shrink small beneath my blanket, sweats from forehead drip
Do those eyes still follow me, clawed hands itch for a grip?
When night seems a black paste, spread on around my bed
From tree trunk descends a dark shape, a torso without a head
I slip afar through the blanket, to escape the monster’s reach
Can they still hunt me out, my fear’s demon and witch?