my dreams cower at the edges of my waking mind
having rudely stormed my brain for another night
i try to catch a glimpse of one, or another,
shiniing my flashlight in the corner of the room
but they recoil and slither and shimmy
maybe the light will bounce off one as it dodges away
but all i see is a blinding flash of light
reflected off their oily skin
and i hear the conspiratorial chattering
as they plan tonight’s adventures
which will take the leading role?
which will play a cameo?
and then, the collusion of laughter
hushed only by the movement of my flashlight
before it begins again
03.23.22