FRANKLIN STOVE

hot, dark
hideous black beast
an iron face

i feared it as a child

grandpa was brave
sinister demon mouth pried open
him feeding flaming guts

they told me, fear not
i didn’t believe

situated, sitting on the sofa i’d stare
silently
waiting

waiting for movement
for life
i was ready to run

i was fast
faster than its stubby legs
fast enough

family laughing, dancing, singing
unaware of the slumbering menace
permitting the gaiety

i knew better
better than them

year by year
i left my fear
forgot the monster

until the day 
the day it burned me
i was right to fear