There's a monster under my bed.

But instead of fur,
A thick coat of black scales,
slicked with the grime of the past
conceals his heartless chest.

Rather than slits for eyes,
pitiless seas of merciless dread
mark the spot
I fell into his trap.

Unlike the typical
intimidation a tremendous figure boasts,
his inferior stature
provokes a fear
like no other.

This creature that visits me at night
is the kind you have to look for to see;
that's why only we,
the unlucky,
the unfortunate,
the insecure,
know,
and are victim of his existence.

Instead of teeth
that feast on
Your heart,
my monster aims
straight for
the mind.

Claws that threaten to
tear your flesh,
tear at my soul.

Oh yes,
there is a monster under my bed.

But my monster is one of my creation.

One that has climbed out of my imagination
to pilot my brain.

Untamable,
Unshakable,
a creation of my doubt, my fear,
a new voice in my head,
adding to the countless
thoughts and worries,
present in the night.