my bed
goes right to the floor
no bogeyman lurks beneath
darkness is haven
soothing my rest
my cat lies near
ghosts are friendly
visits from loved ones
the child sleeps
For Friday Writings #140 at Poets and Storytellers United, we are invited to write about something that's not so scary any more. I had the classic childhood fears. (Yes, I know in America he is – now, and perhaps always – called the boogeyman, but he was the bogeyman here, when I was little.)
Oh what a wonderful peaceful poem and I love how the ghosts are friendly visits from loved ones
ReplyDeleteI am certainly glad to have lost those childhood fears!
DeleteBeing long-lived means some you care for die first – so, yes, it is very nice to have them return lovingly, whether in memory or spirit.
So wonderfully distilled - I am glad you have the company of your cat - Jae
ReplyDeleteI consider myself very blessed to have her.
Delete"The child sleeps" - what a wonderful line that is- connecting time and age... beautiful close to that poem.
ReplyDeleteAh, I'm glad you 'got' it.
DeleteFriendly ghosts are good.
ReplyDeleteThey are!
DeleteWhen there is no room for monsters to creep like contented children we sleep.
ReplyDelete*Smile.*
DeleteI've read that "bogeyman" can be traced back to old British words, while "boogie" and "boogieman" may reflect first contact with the Bugis people. Who knows?
ReplyDelete(Of all the things that looked strange and sinister in the dark when I wasn't comfortable in a new place--all the looming hulks of shrouded furniture and cartons, all the shadows that looked just like Mr. Stranger Danger, all the spooky new noises--I think I never did find the time or mental energy to worry much about things under the bed! Under the bed was where I wanted to explore! But children project fears onto everything. I baby-sat one who confided that her Strawberry Shortcake nursery was haunted by nightmares of "horrible slippers, with eyes and a mouth that talks and whispers horrible things," when her mother was ill, and I could relate, having once had a nightmare about a terribly cute stuffed plush animal when I was running a fever.)
Fascinating etymology; thank you.
DeleteFunny, in the daytime I liked exploring under the bed, and was not afraid to hide under it sometimes, but at night I would take a flying leap on to it from the middle of the room so that SOMETHING (I didn't know what, only that it was evil and scary) could not grab me by the ankles and pull me under.
Interesting poem. I am just wondering why I was spared any fear of boogey men ghosts and monsters. I think it may have something to do with living with my grandmother. She was a force to be reckoned with and would never have tolerated any of these in the house They wouldn't have stood a chance LOL...Rall
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the sound of her! Her presence must have made you feel very safe indeed, and perhaps even invincible – or at least very sure that she was.
DeleteI love, 'a child sleeps'. My bed goes down to the floor, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
ReplyDelete*Smile.*
DeleteThey say- time heals & time is the biggest healer.
ReplyDeleteHappy that as the years go by, so do our fears!
Yes, how true.
Delete