Nighttime fears

Lying in my bed at night,
Wreathed in shadowless absence of light,
Trying hard to fall asleep,
Heart pounding faster as floorboards creak.

Close my eyes and squeeze them tight,
Avoid seeing a terrible sight,
Holding on til break of day,
Keeping imagination at bay.

What things steal into my room
Hidden unseen in the darkest gloom?
What will be my dreadful fate
If I open my eyes, stay awake?

Are there things under my bed
Waiting impatiently to be fed?
Or is my mind playing tricks
As the clock on my wall slowly ticks?

Nothing here for me to fear.
Nothing more for straining ears to hear,
Now sleep, forget all sorrow,
Until nighttime again tomorrow.