The Black Mask

What is beyond that mysterious mask?
I should have known better than to ask.

But I became curious at the guise,
And lifting the mask, found to my surprise . . .

A distorted face, black as night.
Paralyzed, I froze with fright.

The face showed a ghastly mien,
I shuddered at what I had seen.

The monster roared, and looked about,
Blinking large, red eyes, and giving a shout.

One word only came from its maw . . .
“Death!”
And death was the last thing I saw. . . .