Doppelganger 
 by James A. Lindon 
 
 
 Entering the lonely house with my wife 
 I saw him for the first time 
 Peering furtively from behind a bush -- 
 Blackness that moved, 
 A shape amid the shadows, 
 A momentary glimpse of gleaming eyes 
 Revealed in the ragged moon. 
 A closer look (he seemed to turn) might have 
 Put him to flight forever -- 
 I dared not 
 (For reasons that I failed to understand), 
 Though I knew I should act at once. 
 
 I puzzled over it, hiding alone, 
 Watching the woman as she neared the gate. 
 He came, and I saw him crouching 
 Night after night. 
 Night after night 
 He came, and I saw him crouching, 
 Watching the woman as she neared the gate. 
 
 I puzzled over it, hiding alone -- 
 Though I knew I should act at once, 
 For reasons that I failed to understand 
 I dared not 
 Put him to flight forever. 
 
 A closer look (he seemed to turn) might have 
 Revealed in the ragged moon. 
 A momentary glimpse of gleaming eyes 
 A shape amid the shadows, 
 Blackness that moved. 
 
 Peering furtively from behind a bush, 
 I saw him for the first time, 
 Entering the lonely house with my wife.