The comforting kiss still warm on mycheek,
yet the footsteps were already drowned away.
Ilie awake in my bed, moonbeams the only light
I was left tomyself, deserted and terrified
only to see objects from theleft and right
all coming at me in the frightfulnight.
A swamp surrounded me, murky and all
overflowinginto the hall, a mere rug by day,
come night it transformedwith the alligators that were hungry -
Always starved -children's toes were their favorite delight.
Horriblethoughts, sweaty palms, racing mind, all -
until I heardthe sweet voice of my brother
merely a room away, angledperfectly with mine.
All anxiety and horror ceased with thecall,
"Are you still awake?"
A scratchy replyfilled with terror, "Yeah, you?"
The mindconsoled, heart calmed,
the older one was safe and so wasI.
Night after night, the same evil thoughts
And yet,always the same soothing voice.