Dark Ends Poem by Joseph Cross

Moonlight dances on the river.
Smoke drifts up to meet the stars.
One small steamship floats along,
A beetle on the serpent’s back.
Something stirs somewhere beneath.
The water swirls, mud rising fast.
The creatures of the silent forest,
Sound alarm into the night.
Danger approaches the tiny vessel,
It rocks slowly, a cradle in a tree,
Rocking more until it falls,
Destroyed in purpose and function.
The crew panics in the drifting current,
Stirring chaos in their wake.
The creature approaches, fully alert,
Sensing their fear, tasting despair.
He enjoys the show, almost as much,
As he shall enjoy the meal they will make.
The beast strikes.