Photograph by Cop Richard of Freeimages.com
I keep you all underneath my bed.
Pain, Horror, and Fear loving cold floors instead
of fluffy soft pillows and coverlets.
I hear you stir when I grab my pen.
Pain peers at my pages – so intense
with red eyes unblinking and wide open.
With dramatic flair, Horror leaps onto my bed.
His clothes torn, and hair standing on ends.
He snickers; biting bloody and mangled hands.
Fear is usually the last to show.
She drags a dirty rag doll in tow –
sucking her thumb and rocking to and fro.
They take turns reading aloud my work –
Grunting, clapping, and acting absurd.
“Write more,” they demand; when reaching the final word.
I shake my head, “It’s late, my friends.“
Grumbling –
Shoving –
Sighing –
they finally disappear under my bed.
It’s quiet again.
Poet Rummager 
That photo makes me feel ill! It might be quiet now, but they’ll be back! They always come back…
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Thanks B! I never know when you’re going to visit, but it’s always swell to see you. I hope you’re posting again and will come by with tea and scones later.
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I will – definitely. I never know myself, to be honest – I’ve got soooo much catching up to do. I’m somewhere underneath the treadmill trying to get back on the bit you’re supposed to run on.
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Ooh, do be careful and don’t run on the treadmill naked — I hear it can make a man sterile. Yikes!
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That might not be such a bad thing!
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Glad I can help! 😀
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Great read! ^_^
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Thank you! 🐧
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You’re welcome dear! ☺☺
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Beautifully written Rumnager😃😃
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Hi Sumit! Thank you for reading — always fantastic seeing you. 😗
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😇😇😋😘
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Brilliant, my dear Poet, Brilliant…How we can be tormented by our own thoughts…again and again..it never stops.
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How lucky we are to exorcise our torments through words or images! Thank you. xo
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Yikes! 🙂
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Hope there’s nothing lurking under your bed! Thanks for visiting 🙂
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Nope, just cats jumping on top of it. 🙂
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I’m sorry 😦 Haha! I love cats 🙂
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I do, too, especially the two little boy cats I have now. ❤
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Aw, we have 3 cats. Glad your boys are keeping watch over you! xo
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As long as there’s no blood drawn from these attacks
I know you can fight them off with your words
Like the double edged sword that they are
The weapon of choice
None are safe as long as the Gilded pen is by your side
The Sheldon Perspective
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Your words comfort me. Beautifully expressed, Sheldon — although the things that live under my bed, no matter how freaky they seem, are good friends. Thanks so much.
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Friendly fears
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Yes, my love.
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I know this all too well. Wonderful write
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Thank you very much! Yes, not only do you write about them so well but also sing about them quite exquisitely.
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You’re really lovely
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I’m lovely at telling the truth! Thanks 😀
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Well big fan of yours
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Fear is still dragging that dirty rag doll? Damn!
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Lol. I doubt she’ll be letting go anytime soon. I’ve even offered to wash it for her, but she can’t bear to let that doll go.
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wow!
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We all keep something under our beds — mine just happens to be a bit more crowded than most, I guess! 👾👾👾
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🤓
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Whoa! At least you’ll never be lonely at night!
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No, I can’t say that I’m ever lonely… annoyed but never lonely. 😀 What’s under your bed; besides an alligator’s head?
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**True Story** Many years ago I drew a pentagram on a piece of paper, then placed it underneath my older sister’s bed. I advised my mother to look underneath her bed, and then I said: “See! She’s a witch!” Haha. (no one believed me)
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That’s funny! Maybe if it was under your bed, people would’ve been more prone to believe that you’re kinda diabolical 😉
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Great imagery. Loved the personifications of Pain, Horror and Fear.
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Pain, Horror, and Fear are most fond of talented Irish writers, so I’m sure you’re well acquainted with them? Thanks, Og. xo
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We have a special potion that makes them go away.
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I didn’t know beer scares them away! 😀
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That is one damn creepy photo. Disturbing write as well. Good work.
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Creepy and disturbing things seem to be drawn to me! I don’t know why?? 😀 Thank you, sweet monkey.
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Ah, a creep magnet. I know a few ladies like that.
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Lol. Creep magnet I guess I am! 😀
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Lol
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Nice writing, cool pic!
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Hi J! Glad you enjoyed and thanks a lot. Here are some delicious Washington apples 🍏 🍎.
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👌🏻
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Wow, so many emtions brought about by fear. This was awesome, Rose!! ❤️
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Thank you with all my heart, Dorinda. Your words mean so much. ❤️💋
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Really enjoyed Rose.
A wonderful piece of writing. 💀
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I appreciate your support always, darling! 😈 👿 👹
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Another fabulous poem. Read at the end of a long day but it has woken me up. love fear dragging the dirty rag doll.
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You’ve been so busy! Thanks, Stephen. I always am happy to see you about, and you’re still keeping up with your blog… I was worried for a moment when you got that new job. I thought you’d disappear.
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It may be more difficult. I have to do the graffiti posts in batches, when I have a bit of time (I have just written 3) – but shhhhh don’t tell anyone.
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I’m glad you’re making it work. You do so well! I’m impressed with how you balance family life, career, and blogging. Lol. I won’t say a thing 😉
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For balance read juggle.
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I’m glad I didn’t read this at night. Or see that picture.
If you’ve got that many guests under your bed, you must have a hard time falling asleep.
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You know, I’ve had the same guests sleeping under my bed since I was a girl, and they never keep me up nights — now, if they left, then I’d probably have restless nights. 😉
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Well, we can’t have you being lonely now, can we?
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No, then I’d never be able to write! What’s under your bed??
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Hmm… Have to think about that. A distorted mirror?
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Lol. I thought that distorted mirror would be on your ceiling; not under your bed 🙂
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Ha ha! I forgot, the mirror is on the ceiling. It’s the black hole that’s under the bed.
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What fun! Hahaha!!
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And I was supposed to go to sleep; oh well time to read more just if there is something under the mine. n.n
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Hi Francis! So GOOD to see you. Are you posting your photographs again? Thank you so much!! I’ve missed you and your work. xo
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Hi Rose ^_^ I am so happy to see and read to you : ) Not yet, I still cannot. But time will tell. Hoping everyting is well in your side of the world. n_n
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Thank you Francis! I’ll be waiting for your new post when you’re able to share your beautiful work again. I’m fine; just missing my Peruvian friend 🙂
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Haha! The darkness is also a friend, darling Francis.
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Brilliant! I love this piece. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thanks for visiting! ☺️
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Reblogged this on Ancien Hippie.
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Thanks Penney!
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I love your personification of Pain, Horror, and Fear, most especially Fear. She is spot on, dragging her dirty rag doll, sucking her thumb, and rocking to and fro.That little girl (or boy) lives inside us all.
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Thank you, Cathy! Fear’s my favorite, as well. Now, if she’d only let me wash her doll! 😀
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Good luck with that. 😀
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Amazing piece! Our own thoughts, fears, hopes, and sorrows keep us tormented… They plague us, they may hide, but they will never cease to exist….
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Very well said! Thank you Mani. 🙂
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such nice friends!
and well fed,
perhaps with
cookies & milk 🙂
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Lol! Cookies and milk make everything all better. 😀
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Ah, I remember this gif and still love it! Haha — we are freaks. Thanks T! I’ll visit soon 🙂
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My favorite!
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And no worries about visits, you know?
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You’re the loveliest! ❤
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Wonderful write. Pain can be the best inspiration of art. Thanks for sharing. I imagine many are able to relate!
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Lovely words! Thanks a lot. ❤
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The image of Pain, Horror and Fear creeping out from under the bed to read your poetry is a creepily good one. Sadly, we have old clothes and a space telescope (seriously!) under the bed, so there’s no space for anything else.
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Thanks! Well, those monsters won’t bother you if they can’t fit under your bed 😀
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Phew! 🙂
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Whoah! What a great dark, creepy poem. The struggles with our fears and torment are real and fuel the fires of inspiration for us to write. Loved this! Loved the imagery! Fantastic post! Thank you!
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Hello! What great compliments!! Thank you very much.
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You’re very welcome! 😊
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Rose!!! Love this! I could feel your words. Those same creatures are under my bed too! Sending you my love and (((hugs)))) ❤️
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Thank you very much, Carisa! You’re a kind and lovely soul. I’m sure those creatures will treat you kindly. Showering you with love and hugs!! ☔️ ❤
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You’re always filled with generous compliments. Always shows your kindness. ❤️. I don’t mind the rain if it’s coming from you! ❤️😘
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I love this poem! We have to tame our monsters instead of fighting them. What if they go away and new, unfamiliar monsters come in their stead? These fights never end. I’d prefer my old monster buddies to hang around under my bed. We know each other so well 🙂
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Haha! Ah, I do enjoy your wit, Inese!! Cheers to the old monsters 😀
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Wonderful writing
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Thank you so much!
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