Once, When Darkness Invaded Peaceful Sleep

Once, When Darkness Invaded Peaceful Sleep There are moon shadows, moving out tonight, More numerous than sad dreams in my head- I call for wild horses to race from bed, Into calmer realms of vast silent dead! Within that place, silence cuts like a knife, And too soon I taste that old dragon's smell- Shocked to find myself in this ghostly hell Where lost souls live a muted afterlife! Now nightmare takes another darker twist, Doors appear labeled, fair, yes, no, and foul- Praying to escape but not knowing how Fear grips, for through each door evil exists! Aghast, at the decision which to choose, Emerging fire forces me to leap quick- Through first door marked fair, suddenly struck sick Confirmed, hell's choices one will always lose! Sick and fallen, I rise to find at my feet, Huge serpents with long fangs and evil hiss- In deep anger, I cry- "Enough of this!" Come on out so one us can meet defeat! Thunderous boom and wicked voice screams back You are not the first to dare challenge me- Each weak soul thought only of victory I've one loss, my many wins I've lost track! Now recovered and in defiant voice Righteous anger surging in angry heart- I vowed to tear that devil all apart Decision made, I leaped, his throat my first choice! On contact great power flew into me Herculean strength surging in each arm- In that monster's eyes, showed newfound alarm It soon whimpering, begged to set me free! Dawn's bright light streaming through windowpane I laughed at such a long and most foolish dream- But then, voice boomed out- "We won as a team" You know me, I need not further explain! Robert J. Lindley, 10-18-2017 Rhyme, ( Nightmare Tales And Other Odd Things)