The Black Theater

The ancient city sprawls out in a maze 

of wood and stone. The streets belch forth hot steam

and smoke that irritates the people's gaze,

and leaves their vision hazy as a dream.

But one sharp place resists the haze's hold.

Strange lines of people stand before its doors;

a theater painted black whose travellers bold

will wait for hours to enter in its pores.

Inside the many rooms, some of them know,

of doors disguised as closets damp and dark,

but enter one and find themselves aglow

within our sunlit world by heavens' spark.

The evil ones who’ve tried to make their way

in through the pathways to this world of ours

with greed for power trying to hold sway

have so far had their plots fall flat and sour.

Beware and rue the day that they succeed,

for twisted monsters seek a way to spill 

into our world to hunt and nightly feed

upon our happiness and bright goodwill.

The theater black stands on the other side.

Remember this when nightmares haunt your sleep.

Now rumors say something with claws has pried

its way through, and in closets loves to creep.

Pale shriveled skin as though it soaked for days

in rat infested swamps of rot and waste.

With yellowed teeth and eyes, it sets its gaze

upon the sleeping souls it wants to taste.

If you get out of bed tonight, be sure

to check your closets and beneath your bed,

for wiggling toes make for enticing lures.

Or just sleep with all the lights on instead.