Shadow Dancer

Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
I watch the evening shadow fall.
The twilight dances on the wall.
I snuggle down into my bed.
The shadows dancing in my head.
The buried ghost begin to creep.
I slowly cry myself to sleep.

I wake with fear for in the hall.
Another shadow's in the hall.
It slowly moves toward my bed.
I wrap the quilts around my head.
I close my eyes and start to pray,
"Dear God! Please make him go away!"
The shadow never slows its move.
I wonder, "Is God sleeping too?"

I wake this time with joy to see
the sunlight shining down on me.
Its gentle warmth has filled the room
and swept away the shadow's gloom.
Its soothing rays caress my face.
The world seems such a happy place.
I slowly lift my aching head
and stumble form the dreaded bed.

I catch my breath and stare in awe
At the image on the bathroom wall.
A woman's face I now behold
But last night I was eight-years-old.
The decades now have come and gone.
I wonder where the time has flown.
But even though the years bring change,
the shadows still remain the same.

I slowly touch my wrinkled brow.
The ghost are finally sleeping now.
I feel a smile upon my face.
The world seems such a happy place.
An oyster lying at my feet.
Perhaps it holds a pearl for me.
But hidden far beneath the smiles
is the tear-stained face of a frightened child.

I close my eyes. No need to weep.
The child is resting. Let her sleep.
I wash my face. I cannot pray.
I'm ready now to face the day.
The hours pass with stunning speed.
I hear the shadow dancer's feet.
And now the smiles are wearing thin.
Another day is at an end.

I watch the evening shadows fall.
I hear the phantoms's haunting call.
For soon I'll lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/9rezlj/little_baker/ . . https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/9r6lwq/loud_and_dirty_feedback_request/