The Boogeyman

"People die of fright and live of confidence." - Thoreau

When you first laid down you felt so wise.

But your sleep was halted, much to your surprise.

He waited for you under the covers.

He came for you and not for others.

He lurks around corners and follows down stairs.

He traps you best swapping worries for cares.

He seems to live under your bed.

Maybe a closet, perhaps in your head.

He can live in your slipper or even a shoe.

He makes it tough to know just what to do.

He seems to appear no matter how you feel.

You can never quite grasp him, like a slippery eel.

You clutch your pillow and can't behave.

In his presence, you become his slave.

He can make you do whatever he likes.

He knows your weakness, that's when he strikes.

You try to be brave and stop him by talking.

But he will not leave and continues stalking.

When he comes, it's always quiet.

'Til he stirs things up and starts a riot.

When he's there, it's always dark.

He circles your head like a goblin shark.

He baits you well with a fat, juicy worm.

He creeps you out and makes you squirm.

He is not nice; he's downright mean.

His visits aren't just on Halloween.

The feelings he brings burn like fire.

Even though you know he's just a liar.

When he's around, he makes you cry.

You know he's not real, but still wonder why.

Your brain tells you not to assume.

But emotions rule;  he's in the room.

When he comes, the fear is real.

You barter with him to strike a deal.

He questions you, hoping for a lie.

But the truth hurts and you want to die.

He calls you out for every error.

He makes you pay by causing terror.

He can find you through the smallest hole.

He squeezes in and steals your soul.

When you try to leave, he makes you run.

He'll be back again; he's never done.

He waits for you to turn off the light.

He lives in darkness, filling you with fright.

Why he exists, you have no clue.

The Boogeyman is real.

The Boogeyman is you ...

Author's Note

"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." - Thoreau

Reviews

[barleygirl]

The way your message goes on & on, it resembles the very phenomenon you're describing. You convey the relentless mind-torture by your intense writing style, with quick-paced rhythm & rhyme. I'm glad I do not have these kinds of issues, but your hammering description helps a person understand how tormenting it can be (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

very astute observations. you have a keen eye for detail. i remember these uncomfortable feelings well when i was young. thank you Margie ... :)

[andrew mitchell]

Yes we all have a dark side, I just can't fit through those smallest holes. Excellent writing Pete, no end rhymes forced, the imagery, the flow, just kill me now,
another fine writer. And I must add you're a man after me own heart liking the doors, jethro, and yes. I could add the Moody blues as well.

[Pete]

thanks andrew. appreciated. yes, I don't mind a little 'Nights in White Satin' as well.

[andrew mitchell]

They did some great poetry as well and yes we all like Nights in White Satin lol even if we don't put the record on!

[Pete]

yes for sure. you're too much - and I thought I was bad!

[andrew mitchell]

lol.......Tony and Gee taught me well

[Ella]

I have trouble writing long poetry and making it interesting enough for readers but you do a great job. I like the ending very much. We are in some ways our worst enemies. Great poem!

[Pete]

thank you. you don't have to write long to be effective. sometimes short writes with well-chosen, powerful words/imagery do the job. whatever your style - just go with it and write from the gut as well as the head.

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

That was indeed quite an interesting ending.... the boogyman is you... hmmm.
I quite loved this poem, because I love the rhyme scheme you had going on was brilliant.
I also am a sucker for horror movies, love love love em, and I love poetry. So when horror and poetry go hand in hand, and the rhyme scheme is brilliant, well whats not to love.
Great write, quite scary, with quite the twist at the end.

[Pete]

Thank you cimmy for such an appreciative review. I had a lot of fun writing it. I'm glad you enjoyed it - you brought a smile to my face.

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

Awww well I try haha :P Your most welcome anytime :)

[...]

The ending makes this awesome :) It flowed so well just like a ghost and it is so true, we are our own worst enemy. Great message!

[Pete]

Thank you Lynn, as always. Be well.

[Hannah]

Awesome poem. I love the style, and the topic of the boogeyman is great. Those final lines were a great way of ending it.

[Pete]

Thank you Hannah. Appreciate your thoughtful review.

[TerryDarcy-Ryan akaSh..]

This is an amusing end. The only one in this life that actually scares me is myself. How accurate. The flow and rhythm of this is very good. You could read it to a 100 men, women and children and every monster would be different. That is good stuff. Well done.

Sheer Terror

[Pete]

Thank you Sheer. I appreciate your thoughtful review.

[MsJewel]

I love the light feel of your words, simple rhymes and yet you have described a much deeper subject. Your creativity shines.

Julie

[Pete]

Was thinking about anxiety and fear one day and came up with this. Thank you Julie. I appreciate that.

[MsJewel]

My pleasure

[Sami Khalil]

It is so true. The bogyman can be each and every one of us, lurking within ourselves holding us up hostage to fear and anxiety. Like you stated that the truth hurts and we have to face our reality which can be unpleasant. This poem although it has good fun and rhyming well, it goes deeper to the human psyche. Excellent, sir...:).......................

[Pete]

You are spot on - despite being satirical, there is a harsh reality to it as you point out. Thank you so much for a thoughtful review. It is much appreciated.

[Sami Khalil]

You are most welcome...:)..................

[Tony Jordan]

We cant run away from ourselves. Very well rhymed Pete. Not too scary -just enough to hold our interest while the message takes hold.
Minded me of the song 'Sandy Claus' in Nightmare before Xmas', which I love.

Right up my street this one.

[Pete]

Thanks Tony. Appreciate you stopping by as always.

[Tony Jordan]

Welcome Pete