The Closet Monster

There's a monster in my closet,

(whisper)

I know he's always there,

his fetid breath fills the room,

a taint of brimstone in the air.

When the lights are out, and I am trying to sleep,

lying in my bed,

he is waking up, eyes blinking,

pupils of flame burning red.

The scrap of his razor claws

clicking on the door inside,

my heart beats faster, a cold sweat comes,

and under the blankets I hide.

A shark's grin that stretches

dripping venom like slime,

the door knob turns with tiny click

and my heart beats out of time.

Everything slows down

as I burst out to reach the light,

(why is that lamp so far away?)

fumbling, twisting...and suddenly..

my room is morning bright.

Quickly I turn to look, my head

whipping around,

to find the closet door shut tight,

and from the monster there is not a sound.

" I know you're there" I whisper

still staring at the door,

"when I turn off this light you

will start again to open up that door."

With a shudder I take a deep breath

and lay down, still feeling my impending doom...

I say a few prayers, jump out of bed,

and run to my parents room.

This vivid memory brought to

you by my 5 year old self...and the prayers

I blessed the monster with to make it stay shut in my closet.

Happy Halloween!

kel