i am the monster under your bed
Repress your memories But I'm still there Lurking Waiting Eyes that stare Say your prayers Pull covers tight You think you're safe Turn out the light You'll never see me coming I am the monster under your bed
You think it's brave To set a trap Corner me Into your lap But I'm too feral now Far too long Left outside Groomed and trained, And tossed aside You created me I am the monster under your bed
Close your eyes And try to sleep Your battle won You sow, I reap Until just the perfect moment You always knew I might appear Don't forget I'm always near Ready to pounce when you least expect it I am the monster under your bed
Deep down Always afraid Never knowing Drives your hate This is how I haunt you Maybe not tonight Maybe not tomorrow Someday you will answer For all this pain and sorrow This is how I torture you I am the monster under your bed
Claws sharp Teeth bared Fatally patient Are you scared? Good Ever vigilant Every night Don't forget Despite your fright You created me I am the monster under your bed
January hasn’t pulled any punches yet. I don’t know anybody who hasn’t been going through it. We are doing our best. I keep hearing the energy is changing, and I sure hope it hurries up.
I finally figured out my 2025 intention / word of the year:
Bog Monster
Bog Monster: a close and endearing relative to the Swamp Monster, The Bog Wife, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. I’ve surrendered to my inner Bog Monster. She is at the heart of everything I want to create. She is terrifically terrifying, and she makes me deliciously happy. Forget about Hot Girl Summer. Let’s have Bog Monster Season, all year long.
A little personal news:
Last week one of my essays was chosen for Ghostwatch Paranormal Zine issue #28 Winter’s Warning, available now. This is the first time my work will be published and in print.. ever! So exciting. If you’re interested in purchasing one, they’re available on Papercult.
Last summer, I wrote a story called death on the beach, which lead to a friendship with
. In a time when it’s easy to feel discouraged, she reaches for the positive, sharing tangible stories of people making a difference. She brings us together and genuinely makes the world a better place.Although our content doesn’t often overlap, Amanda has been a steadfast supporter of my work. She told me I write ‘horror nonfiction’ - a genre I hadn’t even realized existed. Since then, I have enthusiastically embraced this niche, submitting essays to several horror publications. I’m deeply grateful to her—and to all of you—for your encouragement. Your support continues to blow me away.
That said, here’s what I’ve learned about Substack. Particularly from
at Substack Writers at Work. We do not have to box ourselves into a specific category. I do write horror nonfiction, but I also write poetry, spirituality, recovery stories, and someday I hope to be cool enough to write fiction. Just a few days ago, I wrote a piece about the Women’s March, fully expecting it might cost me subscribers. To my surprise, it was one of my most well-received posts to date.I love that Substack is so tolerant of experimentation, allowing us to grow and find our voice. I love that you all are patient and loving enough to accept me wherever I am. I’m going to continue writing as the spirit moves me, and I hope you all do the same. We just have to show up consistently, speak from the heart, and lift each other up. The rest will work itself out. Thank you for making this such a fun and creative place.
Happy Bog Monster Season!
-dreary dendrophile
Or you can just buy me a haunted swamp.
Arg, that selfie is awesome! Yes, we are all multifaceted. I write about hope, but I'm a horror addict! I can't get enough of this. Congrats on being published!
Bog Monster season. I am with you.