Poetry / Night Terrors of the Adult Child (Analysis)

Forked-tongue and winged
stalkers' endless chasing
sights of my night-walking
twisted distorted faces
hissing, hissing

Frozen by fear my legs disappear
useless attempts of running
terrors steal my voice
I wake in soundless screaming
shrieking, shrieking

Tossed in jostled reality
nightmare's chaotic demons
upheaval of wicked and evil
long, deep, and breathing
howling, howling

Doomed-sleep hinges unfold
screams lucid and chilling
signal death's finishing blow
flamed torches band a coventry
huffing, huffing

Hooded and barbed underworld
darkened highlands and backwoods
thousands follow close and constant
heavy steps still lurking
plodding, plodding

Fear enters light of day
shadows and ghosts forming
underbrush and thickets curse
popping like dry wood burning
crackling, crackling

Jesters fly in the counting room
tracking my fright in slumbar
pulling me to make friends with death
the clock hand's endless wager
ticking, ticking