Childhood Nightmares: A Haiku Chain

Furnace downstairs hides
the pointy-nosed bogeyman
climbs out to chase me.
Neck hairs stand up straight
cement wall Chief’s headdress shadow,
no window across.
Old witch cackles while
stoking two hot grey ovens,
we lay bound, waiting.
Drums beat, voices chant
moccasin feet start to dance
no one hears but me.
Paralyzed by fear
I open my mouth to scream
and nothing comes out.
Photo by Ty Finck on Unsplash