sleep comes in the night

a child's nighttime reflections

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:
for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.”—Psalm 4:8

i wake up in a plight:
who will be gone today?
for sleep comes in the night
and steals my friends away.

he is a cunning one
—a serpent in disguise—
who, when you're all alone,
entices you with lies.

with cold and clammy hands,
he takes your breath away;
yet no one understands
who next will be his prey.

i lay me down to rest
with prayers in my heart
for, when i've done my best,
death does not seem so smart.

© Copyright 2023 April 23
by Clyve A. Bowen♫