Midnight Near the Chapel

A raspy cackle raises my hackles,

and my feet stop, as if in shackles

near a dark, godforsaken chapel.

A diabolical laugh crackles

again, as if wheezing jackals

are stalking me, trying to tackle

my soul, treating it like an apple

to be devoured without a grapple,

followed by a burp and a cackle.