Thump, thump, thump

The footsteps behind me go

Thump, thump, thump

An animal?

A creature?

A homeless man

Seeking pleasure?

I look behind me;

A glance over my shoulder

As the footsteps continue

(thump, thump, thump)

I stop dead in my tracks.

No one behind me.

No one there at all.

Was I dreaming?

Hallucinating?

Hoping?

Shrugging off my feelings

I continue on my way

But as I continue walking

I can hear the shoes

My shadow makes a sound

It goes: thump, thump, thump