NaPM April 7, 2018

[just mercedes]

Mara


I woke in shock
to gelid bitter air, as if
icy water broke through me.

You slept beside me still,
contorted by the goblin
crouched on your chest,

an ugly child, deformed,
noxious. It met my eyes,
hissed a warning.

Paralysed, I struggled
to shake you, call you,
claim you back

but couldn’t move
or speak. Filled
with horror

I saw the thing swirl,
flow over the side
of the bed, slowly

vanish into shadows.
My voice croaked,
I shuddered, held you close

and wept.