and watch the creatures gurgle and gargle 

                    have you forgotten about them?

imagine a universe decorated by Pixar flair 

your emotions masquerade as Monsters, Inc.™

they lurk in the swamps and sewers of your mind

the bog of untreated waste, bogging down your soul 

                    or so it appears on the surface

                                Anger is enlivening, 

                                                 Boredom is revealing

that moment your voice cracks puberty-style from animation or anxiety

that moment your dance turns into a groove so uninhibited and unhinged

that moment your rage boils and bursts like an untamed pressure cooker

that moment your heart fully surrenders to the gateway drug of a crush

                     these are when the monsters come out to play

                      squeak squeak squeak

for all the spooks they’ve helped scare away 

for all the negativity they’ve turned into novelty

remember to check under your bed once in a while