Night Fears Poem by Jose F Rosado

I’ve been here before…
Not in the same place
But on the same edge
Of despair

I’ve seen thick darkness looming
Just outside the firelight.
And I’ve seen the eyes of disaster
Shine in the shadows beyond.

I’ve heard the rustling and snorting
Of hungry beasts in the forest
That would carry off a child
In a moment of distraction

I’ve kept the fire burning all night
Vainly vying for brilliance
Feeding wet logs to the blazes.
And only making more smoke…
Behind which the beasts could hide…
And approach.

I’ve waited the night out
Fighting sleep
And fear
And nightmares,
Fingers tight
Around a stone…
A comforting weapon
To deceive my dread

And then I’ve stared
With red-rimmed eyes
As the first hint of light from the morning
Outlines the trees against the sky,
Colors rolling slowly back
As the mist lifts off the ground

And the wildflowers by the forest
Look kindly back at my fears,
And morning blooms from the shadows
While the forest lifts its fern carpet
And soothes…
And beckons…

And the stone drops from my hand
And rolls silently into the ashes
And I look around the clearing
Half embarrassed
Half amused
And walk on through the living forest
Careful, quiet…
Not to wake the sleeping child.

(Fall 2007)