another late midnight.
another inky dark.
another night void of sounds.
another night
as the only person awake
in a city of dreamers.

i hate nights like these
when the tide of sleep retreats
and leaves me
sitting and waiting,
staring up into the dark
that sits
a foot in front of my face,
praying i slip under.
praying that the night will be kind.
praying that i will fall asleep before
my mind
turns against me.

the rats chew and wrestle
in the walls
the room creaks and groans
and the nobody that's there
sighs close by my ear.
my mind spins
time stands stubborn and laughing
minutes stretch and bend
and night grows ever darker.
childhood fears,
dripping with anxious sweat,
claws and teeth bared,
are born.

i feel their breath.
i hear their thoughts.
i smell their stink.
they thump and bang around
letting me know,
they could have me anytime they wanted...
any time at all.

the glaring red glow of the old alarm
provides no comfort.
the milky moonlight outside my window
just creates more shadows.
eyes squeezed shut
i beg,
to any malevolent ears
that may be  listening.
please,
just let me fall asleep.