In the quiet of night
I hear naught but silence
Unless that was more
Than my all too vivid imagination
Heart beating
Chills creeping
I see only blackness
My fancies of terror seem more real
Now, when I'm alone

In the quiet of night
I hear a far off dog howling
Unless walls soundproof much better
Than they have in the past
Ears straining
Sweat trickling
I see only darkness
My thoughts weigh more heavily
Now, when I'm alone

In the quiet of night
I hear things that aren't there
Unless my delusions are more real
Than I want to believe
Fists clenching
Breaths quickening
I see only inkyness
My assuredness abandons me
Now, when I'm alone

In the quiet of night
I hear plots against me
Unless there's more wind
Than intent in those whispers
Teeth grinding
Stomach churning
I see only shadows
My fears overcome me
Now, when I'm alone

In the quiet of night
I hear tapping at windows
Unless it's just trees more faery
Than thieves or than goblins
Fingers tugging
Whimpers escaping
I see only shadows
My nightmares accompany me
Now, when I'm alone

In the quiet of night
I hear moans of the damned
Unless there's more settling
Than grave left in this house
Eyes darting
Legs shivering
I see only inkyness
My resolve hides away from me
Now, when I'm alone

In the quiet of night
I hear screams of terror
Unless cats skirmish more
Than stalkers seek prey
Lips trembling
Tears trickling
I see only darkness
My cowardice triumphant
Now, when I'm alone

In the quiet of night
I hear all the taunts of memory
Unless by some chance I'm more stable
Than my tortured mind allows
Lungs gasping
Sobs wracking
I see only blackness
My shoulders, my ribs, my body as a whole
Now, when I'm alone