One fingernail from Tara, playing in the park
Two fingernails from Kevin, caught after dark
Three fingernails from Leo, left home alone
Four fingernails from Audrey, distracted by her phone
Five fingernails from Habi, going out to eat
Six fingernails from Mike, running down the street
Seven fingernails from Denise, looking for her dog
Eight fingernails from Migs, sleeping like a log
Nine fingernails from Camille, her face buried in a book
Ten fingernails from Erik, who didn’t think to look
More fingernails for the Kumao, and children beware
It takes them to bleed you and taste your despair
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired by Kumao entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.
Kumao Illustration by Leandro Geniston
FB: That Guy With A Pen
Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
FB: Wildling Child
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