Little Red

Little Red

Little Red

Was filled with dread

Having to walk so far

In the deep wood

Where dark trees stood

She wished she could go by car

But she could not delay

It had to be today

Granny was waiting alone

She pushed down her fear

As dusk grew near

Swallowing a fearful groan

She stepped into the dark

The trees looking so stark

She had to try her best

Hurry! Walk quickly

Though fear makes you sickly

There’s no time to stop and rest

Red had to be fast

This light wouldn’t last

Hurry before the sun sets

Once it was night

You might get a bite

These creatures are not gentle pets

Stick to the path! Don’t stray!

Especially not tonight

When the moon hangs fat and round

Please walk quicker

And ignore that flicker

You hear of an eerie sound

Eyes straight ahead

Don’t turn your head

Grip your basket tight

The sun is dropping low

Please don’t slow

Unless you’re prepared to fight

You’re almost there

Hurry but take care

You are almost secure!

She began to run

She was almost done

She could see granny’s door

Her feet picked up speed

With a delirious need

To be safe inside

The house is near

Its door coming clear

‘Open Up’ Little Red Cried

But the sun dropped low

Time seemed to slow

The moon took its rightful place

Little Red heard the sound

Her heart began to pound

Terror froze her face

A wailing, shrieking cry

As if someone wanted to die

Little Red was too late

The door opened wide

There was no light inside

The moon had sealed her fate

Little Red stepped back

Her knees feeling slack

At the beast she saw

Gone was her Granny

Her sweet, dear nanny

Instead a shape filled the door

Her basket fell from her hand

Her feet turned to wet sand

Her body started to shake

Terror took hold

Her body felt cold

Her knees began to quake

‘Granny’ her voice cracked

Showing the courage she lacked

‘Tis I your Little Red’

The Beast growled lowly

Red backed up slowly

‘Oh no’ she thought ‘Im Dead’

The beats licked its lips,

Its head it dips

Getting ready to leap

Red turned on her heel

She wouldn’t be a meal

She ran without making a peep

The creature roared

Through the sky it soared

The chase had just begun

Faster, faster Little Red ran

You can beat it you can, you can!

Don’t stop until you’re done

The beast was gaining ground

Moving without a sound

While Red gasped and panted

The path split in two

‘What shall I do!’

To the left Red canted

An almost trip

A very near slip

Red managed to stay upright

A burning chest

A need to rest

She was using all her might

The beast getting near

Tasting her fear

Only a step behind

She could hear the growl

Smell the beath so foul

‘No! Push it from your mind!’

‘Go, Go! Push, Push!

Fster, Faster, Rush, Rush’

Little Red could hear herself tire

Legs like lead

A fogginess in her head

Her gut losing her fire

‘No, no’ she pleaded

‘Faster! Run its needed!

She felt her resolve dip

Oh it would be so easy to stay

To stop and become the prey

Slowly her feet began to slip

She knew she was slowing

The need for rest growing

Her body felt so weak

The beast was at her back

Its speed never did slack

‘Hel-‘ she couldn’t even speak

Then she saw through the hedge

The safety of the forests edge

So with a final burst of strength

Red ran so, so fast

Praying this energy would last

She leapt across the last length

Falling just outside the wood

Quickly, quickly up she stood

Staring into the night

Hoping she could see

Where the mighty beast may be

Praying for some more light

There! Quick! The wretched brute

Momentarily rendered Little Red mute

Watching her from the dark

‘GRANNY!’ Little Red began to yell

‘How Dare You! I Will Tell!’

This Is Not A Funny Lark!’

The beast howled in rage

The forest acting as a cage

It snapped its teeth so mean

Pacing to and fro

The beast would not go

It was determined to be seen

Little Red was so mad

But also a little sad

At what happened to her Gran

When the moon hung fat

In the dark it sat

A change came over her nan

It was a great shame

A monster she became

A terrifying evil beast

So evil and crude

So nasty and rude

A colossus who wanted to feast

Every new moon

Not a minute too soon

Red was supposed to give

A very special brew

(Dangerous to me and you!)

But would help Granny live

By taking this drink

The beast would shrink

And Granny would stay the same

But Little Red was late

She forgot the date

And Oh what a great shame

Now Granny would stay

This cursed way

Until the moon shone not

Because she was lazy

And time grew hazy

Little Red simply forgot

But don’t blame the child

For Granny going wild

She is not to blame

A long time ago

A creature bit granny so

And now she carries this shame

But Little Red loves her still

And will until

Granny is no more

For Little Red knows

From her hair to her toes

Granny is still at the core