Slowly, he pokes his head around the door
Gathering as much courage as he can,
Until enveloped in safety,
He inches closer to the opening
crawling on his belly
nosing his way forward
inch by anxious inch.
until his nose, on his paws
hang over the threshold like a pregnant pause.
He waits
unable,
unwilling
soundlessly whimpering
refusing to do move any further
yet
eagerly
anticipating a way
to solve the mystery
of the basement