When I was a child the dark terrified me.
Always convinced I was in serious danger.
I worked myself into a debilitating state of fear
simply by imagining something that didn't exist.
Now I am older and I still create eyes that stare
through my back, hands that lie in wait
to reach out and grab me, lies that crouch
around every dark corner. Love is a story

we tell children to keep them placated and satisfied.
Miserable family. Miserable home. Miserable life.
Suicide-prevention taken to extremes.

© Averil Sperry