Till Dawn

Are you frightened of things

that return in the night

 things that crawl inward

 things lost from sight 

Is darkness a veil

to hide and conceal

what daylight sends running

what daylight reveals

Your memory a spring

that evening coils back

reloading your fear

as shadows attack

And sleep brings no refuge

when dreams have been damned

whose nightmares will haunt you

—till dawn is at hand

(Villanova University: August, 2023)