deepundergroundpoetry.com
Nyctophobia
When an impressionable child
darkness I could not abide
Every night when out went the light
petrified I lay in bed
Feeling so vulnerable, so isolated,
Left alone, with no protector
for they were fast asleep
or gone to heaven.
My only safe haven,
an impervious blanket fortress.
When overcome by fear
of creeping, crawling, slithering things;
the gnarly monster hands
reaching up from under the bed
my skinny neck to wring
I would frantically dive
deep under the covers.
Where, yes, it was darker still
but I was the giant
ruling that cavernous citadel.
Reaching supposed maturity
I grew to embrace obscurity.
when I learned to let my eyes adjust
Realizing that rarely
are we left without some light
I fully embraced the night
Increasingly appreciating the stillness,
The peace that comes from near silence
Yet even now, in my ancient state,
If found in a place unfamiliar,
Darkness just may instigate
the uneasiness of an unknown fate,
pangs of anxiety, fearful shivers.
Published 27th Apr 2024
Author's Note
NaPo2024 #26
Inspired by stomp prompts 2024 #2
Inspired by stomp prompts 2024 #2
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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