Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Vol. 108, No. 3 & 4. Whole No. 661 & 662, September/October 1996

Late one night about half past two,

I heard footsteps enter my room.

Pulling the covers ’round me tight,

I closed my eyes half dead in fright.

A shadow hung above my face,

My chiming clock made my pulse race.

Ever so close the breathing came,

I shook in fear beneath its flame

Then toward my face a paw did swing,

My face, it turned three shades of green,

It stopped, then gave my nose a pat,

And I was staring at my cat.