Raven from Teen Titans

(Anybody else grow up seeing things in the shadows when they were trying to fall asleep?  Does it still happen?  I didn’t really grow out of it, but my bad eyesight makes such things rather ridiculous.)

Chittering noises

From the closet depths

And under beds

Disguised as wind

Or settling wood

*

The monsters wait

Kept at bay

By blankets

And a tiny light

Jutting from the wall

*

Spindly legs

Tap the shadow fringe

Searching for a flaw

While hidden eyes

Lock onto sleeping prey

*

Tempting whispers

Made from desperation

A feeble attempt

To coax the child

From her linen shield

*

The child stays safe

While the monsters fail

Going hungry once again

Forced to slumber

By the blazing sun