Apparition

Apparition

Fog hangs in the trees,
clammy fingers of the night
clenched upon the dark woods
as the moon rises ghostly,
illumination pale in the fetid air.

The road stretches straight,
hemmed by forest pressing
on each side, resentful
of this intrusion upon its dreaming,
swathed in shroud of gloom.

Far off in mist headlights appear,
eyes only of mystic beast
glaring upon the narrow road,
and comes the challenge,
engine revving in phantom pride.

Red tail lights switch on
dimly in the gathered shadows,
faint rumble of idling motor
rising now in grim defiance,
roaring now unbeaten pride.

Thus the eldritch joust commences,
growling as they start the fray,
forces of some past encounter
speeding now to destined doom,
acceleration matched in dead intent.

So they meet in vile collision,
there upon the midnight trail,
passing through they simply vanish,
skirmish scene instant erased,
till their time be come again.


Line count: 30
Free verse
For Spirits at Lighthouse Contest, August 2022
Prompt: As per illustration.