Real Monsters

When I was young I was afraid

Of monsters in the closet

Under beds or behind curtains

Hidden in my house

Of werewolves vampires ghosts and ghouls

Of creeping slime and living dead

Of rattling noises from the attic

Of elves and disembodied heads

But now I know where Monsters hide

And how they can mold their outsides

Why they can be just anyone

A mother father daughter son

They rip and tear at minds and souls

They use your fears and dreams and goals

They smash your joy before it sparks

And subtly make cruel remarks

They’re brash they’re cunning

Loud and soft

Tall and short and round and not

They’re in plain sight yet can’t be seen

Real monsters look like me