Pater Familias

I have reached forty years
And still sleep with a teddy bear,
A nightlight, or open blinds
To let in the moon's glare

The man in the moon, yes he
Watches over me even now
Protecting my inner child
From the phantom man in my room

I do not dare, nor do I care
To feel a chill or a disturbance
In the air, with the hallway light
Silhouetting your beer belly

Your brown-bottle breath
Rasping raggedly into my sanctuary
Of Barbie dolls and stuffed animals,
My pulse thunders in my ears

"Please go away, don't touch me"
I silently pray and cross myself
Mentally, prepared to pretend at sleep
Making my body ironing-board stiff

I hold my breath, and a renegade tear
Slips down my cheek onto my Holly Hobby
Pillowcase, cursing my weakness and
Damning God himself for blessing me with life