Stay the Night

For the first time I want strong arms tonight just because I would do anything to keep this darkness from closing me in -- for the first time I would beg without shame for safety and offer nothing in return. Just be there -- someone be there -- anyone be there

to wrap me up in real, in the middle of this vast -- I won't say you're beautiful or make you feel -- I'll claw your arms around me and shake like a child -- let you think as you will,

and when morning comes I'll rise trembling with relief and leave you there because life doesn't leave me time to store up arms for the night that's always coming, even when morning has begun and I should sleep the day when fear is at rest and you --

I would pay. I would do anything, I would say anything you want to hear, not because I would take from you but because I need you. I need you, I need you, and I don't think I can do one more night

with this fear, this alone, with this sleep that takes me in and leaves me wide awake with the terror, praying for rescue, praying that I have not been abandoned, wanting to not be alone

with this.