To read the latest issue, click 'Issues by year' in the menu above

 

That song was playing everywhere inside the store
while I was working late alone one autumn night.
“It’s only once,” I said, “just once and then no more.”

At last, it finished . . . But, the silence, like before,                    
was broken by that beat. By some strange oversight
that song was playing everywhere inside the store.

Again, it ended, then came back to life. I swore
and turned the speakers off. But to my fright,
that ghoulish melody began to play once more.

“What’s going on?” I asked. I searched each room and floor.
I pulled each plug. I killed the breaker . . . Hope took flight –
that song was playing everywhere inside the store!

Afraid, I ran in turn to every exit door. 
Although I tried my key and pushed with all my might,
not one would budge. And then the song replayed once more.

“Please, oh please, just end this horror, I implore!” 
But still I'm here, and still I hear like some dread rite
that song still playing everywhere inside the store;
it plays and plays and plays again – for evermore . . .