Childhood Fears

No fear of dogs or spiders,
closets or things beneath the bed,
strangers, storms or darkness,

my daughter refuses to listen to Clementine,
asks, if it’s about a girl,
why the daddy couldn’t save her.

She won’t look at Cruella DeVille,
hides her eyes in her hands, certain
what can’t be seen won’t hurt her.

And she won’t listen to Tom Waits,
says he sounds like a monster, even
in Bend Down the Branches, a song

written for children. Old Tom couldn’t
be too surprised, voice of gravel,
lines like Even beauty gets old

by Scott Owens

Email: asowens1@yahoo.com