Barrier of Sleep

When I lay my head down to sleep that night, I was visited by visions

Beyond any I had dared to think, whose contents had me fevered when I woke

For there, beyond the cloud and stars and vault of sky, there was something

It was without, yet also within, and every shadow and the light that made it

Were reflected in countless alcoves of its graven flesh, while the weight

Of an endless number of eyes peered from every crack and crevice

In the temple of horrific beings, and I know even now their eyes still watch me

What dreams have turned to nightmares in accordance with unknowable whims

 

I’ve had a fondness for horror since I was very young. I used to have terrifying nightmares, and be unable to sleep for hours in my room while I huddled beneath the protection of my blanket, too afraid to move. At some point, I guess I just grew out of that fear for the most part, and, in fact, I now cherish the nightmares I imagine in the long hours of the night. They have a truly fascinating quality, that truly unreal feeling that no medium in art could ever seem to match when it comes to experiencing fear within horrific situations. I often find myself humbled by the sheer imaginative quality of the products of my nightmares, and strive not to forget them.

I’ve had a few experiences with sleep paralysis, though they ended up being slightly more comical for me than many of the other experiences I have heard people share. I won’t get into the specifics, but the general feeling of being paralyzed was a very frightening one, I will readily admit that.

As for why I’m talking about nightmares so much, well, I’m a big fan of H.P. Lovecraft, and dreams were an integral part of a good portion of his writing. Lovecraft himself was purportedly inspired by nightmares he had as a child and throughout his life, and went on to essentially define a genre of cosmic horror for generations.

So, I guess what I’m trying to say is that nightmares, while strange and terrifying, do have a special place in my heart, and I look forward to them in my own way.