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So ...
I'm "disturbed", am I?
(So claims an acquaintance of old)
For I write deeply about "darkness and fear"

Places and emotions that many avoid
Shadows that tremble, naked, in the night
Realms that drizzle their oily gloom to dim the light of day
Crimping what is bright and glorious with rusty, jagged edges

And perhaps they are right, though I see it differently
Thru the shaded lenses of reality and experience
And, dare I say? A bit of wisdom ...
You see, I was terrified of the darkness, to my marrow

As a wee lad, my feet would not touch the floor by my bed at night
For the very REAL creature there, whose shape only I could see
Would drag me under and devour me
Never to be seen again

But as I grew older I made trips to hell
Oh, most were my own doing, I will admit now
But it's BEING there that matters, not the mode of transport
Despite the paralyzing fear, each visit was a lesson

A tiny bit of gold dust that I pinched between my fingers
And put deep in my pocket, to feel and remember
Trip-after-trip I collected scraps of that shimmering, golden security
Varied thoughts and memories that got me through

Over time it became treasure enough that I could hold and shine
A strength and light that could only come from having faced those demons
And learned the shape of their faces, the roots of their lies
Their trickery and evil intents, and most importantly

The FALSE light they used to weave their perverse temptations
There is much that appears bright and "good", you see
That is truly darker than the blackest night
And much I found there, in the deep of twilight

That is elegant and good and pure
Until I went there and learned the complexion of BOTH
I never truly discerned one from the other
But the strength I gained by facing the worst

Is what gave me the true, abiding appreciation for what is BEST
Turning that into word and phrase and poetry, set me free
And I have stomped that terror of the dark into nothingness -
Turned that frightening realm into a refuge of beauty, peace and comfort

Swept that wee lad up in my arms and hugged him tightly
And helped him see that there is nothing to be afraid of, but fear itself
Helped him to know that he would never be alone
For without the warm, dark blanket of eventide

We would NEVER have recognized the warmth of the sun
Never have come to realize what love and mercy and light really are
And we would never have discovered the stars ...
Or known the true, endless depths ... of Heaven.





~ 3rd Place ~  in the "Let 'Er Rip Number Two" Poetry Contest, John Lawless, Judge & Sponsor.
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