I sleep with the lights on every night

For I don’t want to be surrounded by darkness

Suffocate in the blackness

For in the dark

Every outline sprouts arms and legs

Close your eyes and listen

To the gnashing of teeth and rumbling of low growls

For in the dark

Blind to hands and teeth

They invade my perception

Closing in an angry mob of outlines

For in the dark

Everything comes alive

Lurking along the edge

While I stumble over my feet

For in the dark

I am helpless and alone

My heartbeat clatters in my ears

Creating my own soundtrack

For in the dark

Anything is possible in the sea of black

Blind, unable to find myself

I am lost spiraling around and around in the unknown

For in the dark

Everything is strange therefore a stranger

Unable to talk, I wish only to scream

But I am told not to talk to strangers

For in the dark

I myself become unknown

Floundering within the outlines

Until they consume me up

For in the dark

I hear every word I don’t want to hear

Feel every emotion I try hide

I am unable to speak

For in the dark

Anything is possible

Blind and helpless

Until I am left with only tears

So I sleep with the lights on every night