Student Publishing Program ::

Jeffrey Boxer

The Basement

The basement strikes fear in you.
The nightmare of childhood,
Where imagination runs wild.
The lamp's claws reach out to grab you.
The column, the tall man's shadow that stares down at you.
With the lights out and the parents upstairs,
It's fair game, the monsters versus you in a race to the door.
It's the first step, and I have a small lead.
Second step and they are gaining on me.
Third step and I'm almost there.
At the fourth step I dive through the door.
The escape hatch saves me.
My fears are left behind.
Until another day.

[TABLE OF CONTENTS, LHS CLASS OF 2009 EDITION]