Demon Thoughts
by Sabrina Dawkins
It’s just a thought.
It snuggles next to you like a fluffy cat
on a winter day
in front of the fire
wanting to cuddle.
So you are comforted;
it’s your own.
It yawns and relaxes
curled up next to your leg.
So you fall asleep too.
But when you awake
snake eyes glow at you
intensified by warming fire.
The familiar cat has turned.
It’s now self-aware,
a fierce enemy,
intent stare.
You try to jump up
to get away.
What is this thing sharing your lodging?
But you awoke too late
with a familiar on your body.
And as you slept,
it rode you to your end.
And now fire and evil eyes
are all that remain
of your illusion of
familiarity and security.
Your thoughts are foreign things
that cuddle up beside you
when you feel relaxed and secure.
You drift off to sleep.
And when you awake
no one believes you
when you say something foreign
entered your security,
gave subtle suggestions,
and took over as your familiar.
Unseen so unaccountable
like the shadow by the fire
with two horns on top,
snake eyes, silent,
and the slight show of satisfaction
at your bemused defeat.