Sleep

Gnashing, eating a hole in my soul,
The velvet demon lurks quietly;
Hidden behind all we refuse to see.

Taunting, teasing my senses defenseless;
I did not realize the consequences
Of crossing over the fences.

Smiling, or is he spinning grins,
As he passes me in the gutter;
I hear a single word muttered.

"SLEEP"

Whispering, beware the nightmares
that creep upon you in sleep
like a wolf moving among sheep.

Dancing, in the hollows, he follows
And waits in silence for the beast
To finish his bloody feast.

Screaming, I wake in a lake
Of my own sweat and tears
And realize I'm living my fears.