to the ones I miss

To the ones I miss, I hope
you get the gist. I still see
you in the mist. You are
in the shadows, inside my
mind. You are the time
that continues to tick.
You are the remedy that
heals the sick. I am fire
and you are the wick.
I am the tongue and you
the lick. You are the air
that I breathe: life I can’t
see. You are the breeze
that refuses to leave.
To the ones I miss, just
know that our love will
continue to grow. Now,
I feel more than I see
and I appreciate that
the ones I miss will
stay by my side still.

The Boogeyman

Once a night, the Boogeyman visits 
kids who stay up, kids who are bad, 
and kids who don’t believe. Under 
the bed and inside your head,  
the Boogeyman creeps around. 
The Boogeyman lurks without 
a sound. He hangs around. He 
waits for the perfect moment 
to become visible. He attacks 
in the dead of the night when 
the parents cut off the light. 
During the day, the Boogeyman 
takes the shape of a politician, 
a teacher, a secretary, a mom, 
a dad, a pastor, a police officer, 
or a homeless man under 
the bridge. The Boogeyman 
returns to his true form after 
he conforms. Beware of his 
gaze. Don’t make eye contact 
as it serves as an unwritten 
contract. Have no fear. Don’t 
be scared. All you need to be 
is aware. Sleep tight tonight. 
If something doesn’t feel right, 
get up and turn on the light.