The black demon dog showed up most nights
at the moment it was time to close my eyes and go to sleep
appearing somewhere on the inside of my eyelids
leaping
teeth bared
growling
About the time I’d become certain he’d tunnel into my brain
leaping
teeth bared
growling
About the time I’d become certain he’d tunnel into my brain
my dad showed up
knelt down by my bed
and listened to my stories of the black dog living in my room
“Make the dog go away, daddy”
One night he brought a small brown teddy bear home
to sleep next to me and chase the dog away
On other nights he told me of the light of God
that was always in my room with me
that the brightness of that light
would keep the black dog away
Light and dark
Side by side
Nothing to be afraid of
Then
...and now
~ zjm
On other nights he told me of the light of God
that was always in my room with me
that the brightness of that light
would keep the black dog away
Light and dark
Side by side
Nothing to be afraid of
Then
...and now
~ zjm
