The Old Juxtaposition

people think it's silly
that i'm afraid of the dark
at thirty-five.

they say things like-
it's the same as daytime
and
there's nothing to be afraid of-
but they're wrong.

there are things in the dark
that creep up on you
crawl into your mind
when the light's distractions
are sleeping
and unaware.

the sun burns the edge
off the pain and the fear
tempers the nightmares
and makes them just bearable
lets you see
the other bodies in the world
and pretend
for a few hours
that you aren't alone
on the earth.

in the dark
there are only reminders
of what's missing
in the light.