As I drift off to sleep, slowly, deeply, down I fall,
my eyes do sometimes pop-wide open.
I begin to see them enter my room,
parading and sprawled all about.

Why is it my room they choose?
They sit on my floor rolling my ball,
they line up all my toy soldiers.
My toys, they leave out everywhere,
my toy chest they always leave unclosed.

If from my position I should rise,
they'll scatter, they will, into my room's four corners.
Not to invite me to play, no, me they like to scare,
and they are afraid of me, too,
as I hide frozen in place under sheets, I wonder.

From where have they come to frighten me so?
These things with tails like cats and
long rounded noses just like my wood Lincoln Logs.
With ears pointed like Shepard dogs, these
half-animals, half-men.

I hear them assemble while I lie still and low.
Marching in time to their drum.
Faster and louder,
like the beats of my heart
pushing them, pushing them out my ears!

They pour out my ears in columns and rows,
from the halls in my head to the floor of my room.
Silent and still I am paralyzed and all-tingly!
They peck with wood-log-Lincoln-noses. Peck Peck PECK at my bed.
My mouth will not open to scream: "You never asked my permission!"

Glancing blankly at me, shadowy, underwordly.
Then they Peck Peck PECK away again!
With all my strength and courage I must
sit up quick and throw off the covers! I can't. They are
quick to hide, fade into the dark, of each of my room's corners.

The peak of my fright they must sense, I know
they know--right before I am able
to burst to the surface!
Only then will they be over and,
gone for this night.

Sweating a little and a little shaking, I breathe.
I am asked by Mommy: "What is this dream that terrifies you so?"
"Just look at my toys can't you see?!" I exclaim,
"What a mess!"
It's those creatures, I call The Corners.