gingerbread man
shadows lengthen and darken
inviting imaginations to consider what
shades of color scare you
those gremlins that still
sleep with you
the ones that keep your back
when you’re lazy or drunk or sedated
protect you by never telling you
what it is lying in wait
without time to worry
about where the shadows of
doubt reside
you forgo daydreams
and other childish pursuits
in favor of running away from
everything breathing down your neck
october two thousand thirteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved