The boy in the darkened room
is trapped in the lifeboat of his bed
he daren’t put his feet to the floor
fearing the deeper darkness
beneath the bed
teeth or claws or
something squelchy
might suck him under
he sleeps fitfully till daylight
© Andrew Wilson, 2024
Over at dVerse Poets Pub, paeansunplugged in Quadrille, Uncategorized, challenged us to write a poem about Darkness in just 44 words…
This is a very heartfelt poem Andrew. The reality for many people, even grown ups
Yes indeed Sadje – I can feel it today but be in control but this prompt brought back the childhood overwhelming fear…
Poor boy! I’ve never had that fear of the dark or of monsters underneath the bed. But I have slept fitfully, there’s plenty to worry about, 24/7.
I don’t feel it now, D, but I can remember feeling it although I could always conquer it if I had to…
Aww! You bring back those fears of childhood so evocatively, Andrew. Some never grow out of that fear.
Thank you Punam – it’s one of the first battles with the irrational that I think many people face…
Fear of the dark is something I remember well… even worse than the bed was the walk to the outhouse in winter at our country house.
Ah, those tortured imaginative nights, so real until the morn. This flows so well Andrew and tells a heartfelt story.
Thanks, Paul…
Not sure which is scarier, picture or poem.😬
LOL Melissa… (You can read that Ellipsis as a Duh duh duh…)