The Man On The Stairs (Poetry)

She clicked the door shut
quiet as she could
breath held — listening
hesitant she stood
before creeping down

She managed two flights
thought ‘so far so good’
yet ridiculous
that anyone should
sneak around like this

Then just like before
he’s suddenly there
a shadow turned flesh
he moved the chill air
slid wordlessly past

He left in his wake
a cloud of despair
that clung — wouldn’t shake
each tread of the stair
showed prints old as dust

Three times he appeared
the last broke the spell
‘Move out’ his voice hissed
‘this building is hell!’
Next rent day she quit