You have left me alone,
surrounded by darkness,
my heart starts pounding,
my breath quickens,
palms slick with sweat.
I am cold...so cold.
A hair falls from my head,
hitting the floor,
a booming thud.
My old grandfathers clock
calls out time,
midnight has struck
a fearful chord deep
in my soul.
In my bed
there is no warm place
for me to hide…
you are away
(only for a short time).
Please come home,
so I can sleep.
Mysterious footsteps echo
down empty hallways
of our deserted home.
I am alone…
alone with whoever
(or whatever)
lurks in the shadows.
Unreasonable fear
pervades my being,
I wait for dawn.
Waiting for light,
my mind plays tricks.
I cannot sleep,
mysterious sounds whisper
thunderclaps in my room.
Please come home,
so I can sleep.
Please….
come home.
Dear reader, day 26 of #OctPoWriMo has us confronting our fears, writing about what scares us. There are many things I fear. I fear rejection by my peers, by the poetic community, by friends. I fear things that I simply will not share with anyone but my wife, I fear stubbing my toes (a curse of big feet). I have serious fears, debilitating fears and silly fears. And it is the silly fear that I am writing about today.
Once in a while, my wife and kids will go to spend a few days with her parents, and I am left alone at home. I hate it. I hate every moment of an empty house. I especially hate the nights. Will you laugh at this piece, or rather, laugh at me for this piece? Possibly. I don't fear that, for I am writing this in the light. And my wife and kids are by my side. Please enjoy.
Rod E. Kok
October 26, 2014
