don’t be afraid of the bogeyman

the most lethal bogeyman
       is the hoo-ha of the
             lonely night.

he’s stalking you
    from the silence
of the dark perimeters
   of your room.

behind the lampshade
    under the sofa
on the shelf of the refrigerator
   in the center of your pillow.

a shadowplay for children.

   yr. mommy warning you not to
    cross the street
alone.

it’s time to
   learn to be lonely.
    to crayon every corner of yr. life
   the way you want.

to greet the facelessness of
   yr. shadow.

    to fill yr. home
   with dreams.

don’t worry,
   you are blessed
       beyond understanding

    so love will find you over
   & over again.

be free to
   cultivate yr. roots
         in darkness.

    the soul grows
       like corn in the night.