The muted pain from a gory nightmare
that lingers even after waking up
the fear of the dark that beckons a stare
the comfort drink sitting cold in its cup.

There's no point trying to go back to sleep.
Even when awake, an ache still remains.
There's no solace from the creatures that creep
for when pain follows, dreams have painful stains.

The cycle of fearing the Night begins
when a dark thought within finally wins.