Bedtime Prayer

A. W. Nutter

Now I lay me down to sleep

Praying for protection from personal fears

Hands trembling as the night draws near

Fighting sleep, avoiding an unsecured mind

Where the demons are free and unconfined

I pray the Lord my soul to keep

Spirit broken, forced into submission

Withdrawing from the pain and humiliation

Nightmares vanish as I suddenly awaken

Two hours of sleep and physically shaken

If I should die before I wake

Swallowing two pills placed beside the bed

To destroy the shadows lurking inside my head

Tonight's trip to hell will be especially rough

Taking all the pills, praying they’ll be enough

I pray the Lord my soul to take