Creature

Tall and scrawny,
standing on the only rock,
surrounded by an orange ooze.

Bones extended,
tattered cloak draped around it.
Face covered by greased, matted strands of coal.

It’s faceless but it speaks.
A voice of nails.
“Do you have it?”
I dare to shake my head.

Bones clenched,
it shifts on invisible feet,
cloak swaying.

Thrown out of the cave,
I lay on dark grass.
Exhale,
stand up,
keep searching.