nightmare (escapril)

i am terrified of my darkened room,

the shadows of the trees on the wall

the shapes of my posters, the audible

creaks or thumps of the house at night.

i routinely turn over to each side to

keep watch: the wall, the windows,

the ceiling. i see things perched on

the roof next door, swaying gently.

i am terrified of my darkened room,

and yet i risk it all to see the moon.

when it shines so brightly in squares

on my pillow, hits my eye, smiles.

i can't help but to get up and tiptoe

(so as not to wake the sleeping demons)

and gaze at the scarred face in the sky;

sometimes i even open the window.