My Childhood Fears Linger

My Childhood Fears Linger Close    8/29/09



I used to have monsters under my bed
and in my closet.
Crouching and hiding and waiting for me to slip.

Keep the light on just a little longer.
Until my eyelids close for the last time.

These days, they are out for all to see.
Over my shoulder, sleeping next to me,
eating my food...feeding me to shadows.

My dreams are demented and full
of malice and discontent.
My life is not much different.

The creatures have morphed into different
shapes.
Not so obvious but equally dangerous.
Despair...loneliness...desire...
temptation...vice...insecurity...

I feel like a lunatic on vacation from
reality...what's real is shifting.
No one speaks about it...we all know it,
but who likes to talk about the tough things?

I am frightened of the dark still,
and the monsters that are lurking.
You used to be there to turn on the light.
Where are you when I need you most?

Oh yeah, you are hiding from them too.