he stalked each night in rubber soles
prowling for a lead
silhouettes on window blinds
were all he'd ever need
a credit card away
from breaking in the laundry room
nothing now could squelch his plot
our character assumed
upon his entry to the room
he tried to be discreet
but then he felt a tacky rug
beneath his cautious feet
ignoring this he didn't read
the landlord's sign that said
caution - wet paint on the floor -
a coat of crimson red

strangler of baltimore
the odds were on your side
even in the tiny towns it's effortless to
hide
call it fate or justice
or the payback of your pray
but those bright red footprints
will always give you away

he peeled his shoes along the hall
to basement flat 2-b
no need to knock the doors unlocked
he opens gingerly
an e flat string away from stealing
the flight attendant's breath
the b-town sun can set their press
for one more tragic death

strangler of baltimore
you thought there was no trace
like a lightning bolt
you never strike a once struck place
call it fate or justice
or the payback of your prey
but those bright red footprints
will always give you away

he did b-town a favor
when he gave police a tip
he drew a dotted line
to remind them of his trip
our men are on his trail
the chief inspector said
before he'd hit his snooze alarm
they cuffed him in his bed