mimi magee

Children fear the dark, but I

Feared the one who lived there,

Deep in the closet, behind

The dresses, jackets, and shoes.

She rarely greeted me herself,

Instead sending her band of goons,

Discolored pigs, crows, and gators

To check if I was there, lying awake,

Frozen at the thought of their visitation.

She ruled my bedtime for years,

Banning me from a late night

Glass of water or trips to the restroom.

At the age of six, I decided to rid her

From the closet and take back bedtime.

That night, when her gremlins appeared,

I stood waiting. Her pale, horned

Face seemed startled by my defiant

Presence, but I shook her hand,

And evicted her from my closet.

I haven’t seen her since.