'Nightmare"

As I lay in bed and stare up at the ceiling—

tick tock the minutes go by,

my heart beats,

the sweat drips from my head,

all I see is bloody red.

The planks of wood on the floor—

spattered and covered in fluid

that is not mine,

the man that lays here,

sprawled out in front my biggest fear.

The four post bed with teddy on top—

the only witness to what I've done

my son's screams were what drew me

what I saw made me grab the knife

perched below my nightstand light.

He stood above him like a wolf to a sheep—

ready to pounce on the innocent

that was no longer asleep

smothering him while he fiddled with his need

attempting his unnatural lust he wanted to feed.

How he got in the house, I do not know—

perhaps the window, a door pried open?

why didn't the dog wake me up?

where was my faithful friend?

lying in the mudroom from an untimely end.

Before that son of a bitch could do any more,

my child screams ringing in my ears,

I plunged the knife deep into the man's skull

grabbing what's mine from underneath,

we ran away to the neighbors' across the street.

The police arrive and interrogate us both.

They look inside our rooms

I no longer see it as my peaceful home.

My boy is safe, they said just bruised

No signs of other trauma or abuse.

I said, "I want to see him. Make sure he is dead."

"Ma'am I don't think you should go in—"

"To hell I won't, I need to see and know for sure."

Past the tape and all the markings

I look down and find the body is nowhere to be seen.

"No! Where is he? That's not possible..."

"Ma'am, do you have any family you can stay with?"

"Yes...where's my son?!"

A loud shriek was heard from my bedroom

I run to find what more could happen in all this gloom.

My heart pounding, tears are streaming down my face

"Baby, are you alright? Answer me?!"

"Mommy, Mommy! Man's here!"

The man sprawled on my floor dead

the knife was still inside his head.

I go to reach for my son,

curled up in a corner of my bed,

I hold him close and shut my eyes in relief.

His little face looks up and said,"

"Mommy, is man dead?"

I take a breath to answer—

"Freeze, don't move!"

My eyes widen with horror

The realization came as I turned around.

The man was standing from where he was found.

I scream with all my might

but no sound came out of me

I want to run,

I want to cry,

why didn't he die?!

The man lunges for us both,

the policeman's gun was shot

I open my eyes to see I am in my bed

My nerves are bundled from fright

while my son, a peaceful sight

As I lay in bed and stare up at the ceiling—

tick tock the minutes go by,

my heart beats,

the sweat drips from my head,

all I see is bloody red.

A/N: Becoming a mother, the worldview changes and all you want to do is protect your child from all its dangers. The reality is we can't and that in itself is scary.