The Thief

Somewhere far away
in the bleakest darkness
of night
a predator is awaiting
just beyond the flickering
firelight.

So don’t go out a camping
anywhere near these woods
for he is there waiting
to take away your goods.

He wears a mask of black
that covers two hungry eyes
that go for what they want
ignoring your fleeting cries.

He will steal all you have
leaving you nothing in return,
but to stand there wondering
in an outburst of concern.

He is the best in his profession.
He always gets away,
and if you ask about him
they have only one thing to say,
"He’s a four-legged phenomenon,
a ghost in the field."
But if you go to messing with him
only mischief he will yield.

He’s the master of hysteria.
He will turn a camper into a loon.
He’s that dirty, low-down, rotten,
worthless, thieving old racoon.

Copyright 2005 by Dwayne Lackey