although the ending
has been
figured out
most people
seek to delay
reading
that final page
opting
to
reread
earlier chapters
wondering
how the outcome
might have been
different
maybe
a change in
dialogues
or
characters
would have altered
the conclusion
but
more likely
such changes
would have only
added
a chapter or two
without
affecting the end
plus
the current list
of
scenes
protagonists
and
antagonists
is what
has made
the book
so interesting
had we not been
so
engaged in the text
we
might
have noticed
how quickly
the end
was approaching
oh
even
scribbling
analytical notes
in
the margins
has not changed
what’s
on those
final lines
and
yet
we tarry
on
that
next to last page
our fingers poised
to turn
the page
afraid
of
what
we
know
it does not lurk in darkness nor wander in forest groves but does devour without regret all that it desires and if you peer down your street you will not see it but if you pass a mirror