Monsters

As little children,

we feared the monsters

under the bed.

Sent to devour us as we slept,

they held us captive

in the dark.

As adults, the monsters

remain, always lurking

in our memory:

magazine pictures of places

never visited, baby clothes

for a child never born.

They remain in boxes

gathering dust, permanent

reminders of things

never accomplished,

tucked away next to the luggage

and out of season linens.

As little children,

we feared the monsters

under the bed.

As adults, they haunt

us, out of sight,

but no longer imaginary.