Once Upon A Time

In her years of living abroad
in a densely exotic foreign land
fascinating for its mountainous 
landscape and ancient culture
she drew breezily accustomed
to the frequency and mildly
unnerving quakes that rocked
the island nation, assimilating
them into her psychic portfolio
of tolerable experiences.  Returning
to her own vast geology-solid
native home, she heard one day
a growing, growling clatter as
though the forces of Hell had 
freed themselves from the prison
of the Earth's core and were
gloatingly, furiously ascending
as all about her shook and
trembled in mortal fear.  Now,
each time she hears a sound not
immediately identifiable in its
roaring, growling menace, 
reason makes way to visceral
numbing panic of helpless fear.