The Shadows

don’t tell him
about the…
shadows

the black 
voids
that hover
at the
edges
of our bed

don’t share 
your nighttime
visions 
with him

Or else.

it won’t help 
anything; if
there are two 
sleepless
passengers
in our home

No.

don’t tell him
about those 
inky black…
shadows

who watch you 
fretfully 
slumbering 
away

who widen their
invisible, deathy
grins 

when

cold sweat
gathers on your
forehead

when
 
your skin
folds into
a furrowed
brow

when

your body 
writhes against
those wraithlike
pains

hold that secret
close to your 
breast; let them
torture only
you 

don’t tell him
about the…
shadows

it is yours alone
to bear
it is your own
nightmare
it is not fair 
to share

such a heavy burden