Lindy-Hopping Boogieman

I'm scared at night
I leave my touch light on
low just one touch

Sleeping without the protection of love
is becoming a nightmare
I bring my laptop with me
my books of poetry
a new one by John Ashbery
my Grandmother's poof

but nothing helps

I just wish to pass into sleep
painlessly and quickly
so that the Lindy-Hopping Boogieman
has only my fictitious dream maker
to accompany it

If it was ever to
dance by my place of work
or I to see it on a walk at Natural Bridges
with a friend
or turn a corner on the Garden Mall
and spy it talking with a beggar
that would be the end

That
became and
becomes

I've got a 5150 here
Please send back up
Over



© Donald Grube, 2010