Bed Dread

I cower in bed, winter night times;
My head 'neath the duvet I hide:
Up there on the top of that wardrobe
Weird sinister shapes lurk and hide.
Those kitbags and cases and cobwebs
Have all harboured dust since BC;
They'll shortly sprout twelve bloodstained fingers
And leap without warning on me.

This bedroom is haunted by spirits
And goblins and gremlins as well,
With vultures and bats up the chimney
And cleft claws and hooked beaks from hell.
No wonder my landing light's left on:
No wonder I quake in my bed.
My Dad will regret all his teasing
If one day I just wake up dead!

© Howard Peach
Illustration © Jessie Gillick