Hymn for the Hollow

[Verse 1] [Low guitar twang, harmonica moan] Well, the cold moon’s high on the Georgia pines, Somethin’ out there crawlin’ ‘cross the dotted lines. Got no tracks in the mud, no sound in the breeze— Got an old man shakin’ on his worn-out knees. Heard a scratch ‘gainst the window, saw a shadow stretch long, Ain’t no critter he knows—somethin’ don’t belong Is that whisper the wind… or a hungry, low whine? That thing in the dark’s messin’ with his mind… [12-bar riff fades] [Chorus] Oh, the woods got teeth, and the night’s got eyes, That shadow won’t quit, just slinks and sighs. Cabin walls creak, lock’s rusted thin— Whatever’s out there… just wants in. Yeah, whatever’s out there… just wants in. [Harmonica wail, slow foot-stomp beat] [Verse 2] Whiskey burns his throat, but the cold won’t break— "This house is my bones," voice startin' to shake. He checks the lock twice, nails splintered and thin, Eyes wild as the storm screamin' under his skin. "Ain’t nothin’ out there but wind ‘n’ the rain—" A lie he repeats like a broke-down refrain. Glass hits the floorboards—he drops his flask, "Just the damn gale, boy! Nothin' that asks!" Harmonica wails... but his hands won’t obey, "They claw at the porch?—NO—just branches at play!" White-knuckle grip on the shotgun’s old stock— "What’s breathin’ out there…?” ~~Flesh~~ bones rotted and locked.” [Chorus] Oh, the woods got teeth, and the night’s got eyes, That shadow won’t quit, just slinks and sighs. Cabin walls creak, lock’s rusted thin— Whatever’s out there… just wants in. Yeah, whatever’s out there… just wants in. [Harmonica wail, slow foot-stomp beat] [Verse 3] Hinges scream as the oak door flies wide, Rain lashes his face, fear trapped inside. A shadow uncoils— not wolf, not man— Eyes like cracked glass... he understands. The shotgun trembles, cold in his grip, “Should’ve stayed barred, boy—” a lie on his lip. It slides past the threshold, smellin’ of graves, Static-howl rippin’ through the moonless haze. “Too late now,” it whispers, slick and grim— He didn’t shoot shadows... ...He let it in... [Shotgun blast, harmonica dies, SILENCE] [End]