The night hag

I hate this demon in my head –
as if a soul is listening to me!
Supine, disabled on my bed,

I lie awake but cannot speak or see;
it makes a subterfuge of night –
as if a soul is listening to me!

Numb, my eyes denied their sight,
my limbs anesthetized by dark –
it makes a subterfuge of night.

Something invisible left its mark.
Did you see? Or was I dreaming?
My limbs anesthetized by dark

until I wake up screaming.
At last I lift the nightmare’s veil!
Did you see? Or was I dreaming?

How my hands are trembling, my face is pale;
I hate this demon in my head.
I lift the nightmare’s ghostly veil
and lie exhausted on my bed.