Monster Under the Bed

There was a monster under my bed
I knew it
Just like I knew there was air
Unlike air though
It only lived there

At least that much was comforting
That I only had to worry about it grabbing my legs
Whenever I got into
Or out of
My just-a-little-too-high bed
With my just-a-little-too-short legs

I used a flashlight as defense
The monster under the bed
He didn't like that
It illuminated the dust kitties
And other assorted dirt bunnies
In a beam of holding at bay
Whatever it was that was held back

It never took a cohesive shape
One day I thought it was hairy
The next it had no hair at all
Just existing as a pink armless slathering worm

Reaching out for me with a tentacle
Which I only just avoided
By millimeters
When I swung quickly up into bed

My heart always beat with relief
As I lay there
Almost laughing at it's frustration
Knowing it couldn't get me
Because I was on the top of the bed
While it was restricted to the below

Now that I am grown though
I don't pay the monster under the bed much mind
I've moved on
To bigger and better things

Besides
I now know
That the monster under the bed
Actually lives inside of me

And no flashlight
Or quickness of feet
Or top of the bed
Will protect anymore