Monsters in the Night

And now I lay me down to sleep

I pray the Lord my soul to keep

But if I should wake in the night

Be it not from getting a fright

*

As the monsters creep up on me

And open my eyes forcefully

To the anxiety and fear

That I hold to my heart so dear

*

All the work that piles in the day

And my desire to stay away

From people and expectations

And from my own speculations

*

Of how I am constantly judged

All of my worries that have nudged

Me even closer to the edge

Until they can put a firm wedge

*

Between me and my ambitions

Darkening my aspirations

Leaving me the monster inside

Showing itself on the outside

A shadow underneath my bed—

Could it all just be in my head?

*

I now lay me down to sleep

And pray my sanity to keep

If I should wake up from a fright

Keep my monster away tonight.

***

Author’s Note: This was written for RM Stockton’s The Monster Under Your Bed prompt/challenge. For more information and to join in, follow the link below: