April 2025 Editor's Choice: "Spider Skin"

Like the swelling from a bleeding Comes the telling of my needing The flesh that it resides within Is like a shell of spider skin

The web is woven over and over Spreading like a leafy clover Over the blackest soil of my mind There, the tracks of me you'll find Upon the trail into the woods Are those paws inside that hood?

Off to grandma's house I go

Into a forest I've always known Filled with shadows and ghoulish things Inside the hallows of foolish dreams

So comes the branding from the campfire No one understands a young vampire In science books, from all we've gathered Until someone looks, it doesn't matter Can you forgive the beast within That lives within this spider skin?

© Andrew Brown

U.S.