In Darkness Grinning

on the ruined castle floor

is a rusted iron ring on an iron banded door

in the darkness underneath

dusty stairs of stone descending

the rat-gnawed bones of a foolish thief

beyond the bones and down below

cold dungeon dark the whispering waits

where shadows weep in fetid pools

that ooze toward the sewage grates

in one dark cell where even light won’t go

there lurks a grinning creature mad of eye

with strips of leather stuck between his fangs

bent clasps of gold from armor lay nearby

he guards this growing trove with greedy glee

awaiting more adventurous fools 

to spring upon and eat before they flee