Hypervigilance
She surfs the edge of dreams
dares not sleep too deep
the Bogeyman lurks
in every shadow,
eager to tear
flesh from bone.
Snap of twig
outside the window
she bolts up
grasps the knife
beneath her pillow
heart racing
ears tuned
eyes search darkness.
No one’s there
she tells herself,
curls down to sleep
knife in one hand
teddy bear in the other.
I Walk with a Limp 