10:43 nightmares

sometimes i stay up really late because i am scared to go to bed.

there are monsters under my bed, you see.

and when it's dark and i'm alone in the covers, they creep out and slide their hands up the sides of my mattress,

through my hair

around my throat

and i can't breathe.

so i leave the hall light on and call you,

and you tell me bedtime stories until i fall asleep.