When the Night Mares Visit
Wings like a bat
And snake-slit eyes
Fearsome is the Night Mare
If sleep brings fear
Then they are near
And so you must beware
The night is young
The light grows dim
Now the Night Mares arise
Clad all in clouds
And shod with stars
Take to the shadowed skies
They fill the air
And sweep the land
Silent, they speed away
For every Mare
A pony sleeps
Unconscious until day
Their wicked thoughts
And unkind deeds
Have drawn the Night Mares near
The Mares bring now
A chastisement
And fill their heads with fear
Guilt and sorrow
Terror and doubt
Reach them in their beds
They wake with screams
Or sweat and tears
Unsure and full of dread
But always it ends
The dreams received
Dark gives rise to bright
The work is done
The Mares return
Riding the crest of light
And every night
They ride again
Hoofbeats churn the sky
To deliver
Fear to those
Who disobey and lie
So listen now
My little foals
Yes, I swear it’s true
If you are good
And mind me well
The Night Mares won’t get you
I am in love with this poem. Might be one of my favorite poems I've ever read. I love the way you rounded it out at the end as if it where a nursery rhyme. Very deep and descriptive, without getting so dark as to be scary. Wonderful job!