The Polar Bear

Each night there is a pilgrimage

to and from my cozy bed

gathering the sentinel stuffing

from their day home in my

closet.

The Great Wall of FAO Schwartz surrounds me

plastic eyes and plastic noses stand between me and

the dreaded thing.

It lurks

below the hem

of my quilt.

Black claws

Red eyes

Snow white fur

Nightlights

cannot banish it

it lurks.

The army stands ready

and my blankets are invincible shields.

A glass of water and a goodnight kiss

will have to last us all through the

night.

There will be no reinforcements since

no one else believes with heart stopping terror

in the dreaded beast.

Lauren H

September 5, 2007