The Dark

I don’t like the dark coming down on my head
It feels like a blanket thrown over the bed
I don’t like the dark coming down on my head

I don’t like the dark coming down over me
It feels like the room’s full of things I can’t see
I don’t like the dark coming down over me

There isn’t enough light from under the door
It only just reaches the edge of the floor
There isn’t enough light from under the door

I wish that my dad hadn’t put out the light
It feels like there’s something that’s just out of sight
I wish that my dad hadn’t put out the light

But under the bedclothes it’s warm and secure
You can’t see the ceiling you can’t see the floor
Yes, under the bedclothes it’s warm and secure
So I think I’ll stay here till it’s daylight once more.

From Rhinestone Rhino and Other Poems. Published by Methuen, 1989.