My Errant Knight

Last night I glimpsed the face
Of my illusive errant knight
With the shimmering armor
And emblazoned shield
The indissoluble staff
The bold white steed
No longer needst I fear
Long lonely walks in the park after dusk
The hitch hiker on the side of the road
Candy from a stranger
Dark shadows illuminated
Are found empty
In the hidden corners of the room
And the underside of the bed
The goblin in the closet
Is an old, battered baby doll
I don’t jump and skitter
At the bump in the night
And if the scratching on the window pane
In the wee hours is a claw not a twig
I welcome the beast into my home with a smile
I dive into the darkest, miasmic pool
Without shuttering
Turn my face to the tempest
Thrust my pale, skeletal fingers into flame
Without pause or thought
The fierce burning pain is
Welcome, delightful
The man on the pale horse wears not armor
But a cowl
The staff is his scythe
And the promise of tomorrow
And happily ever after
Beckons
Like a sack over the head
And a rope on the neck
Or a sharp double-edged blade
Cross the wrist