they are infinite in number

from our most frightening childhood dreams
to terrible nightmares in our later years
born from guilt, disillusionment, trauma, shame

they glare at us all of a sudden

apropos nothing they flash into our minds
disrupt what little peace we may have found
in our busy lives

when they arise from their sealed chambers
undo the locks we put on them
    to keep them quiet and remote

we have to face them
    eye to dreadful eye
    face to frightening face

then   gradually

    surprise

the closer our  stare
the more we are aware
that all these faces share
what we find hard to recognize

they look
    quite disconcertingly
like us

maybe we should
    rather than banish them away
acknowledge them  as what they are

the different facets of our selves
that we present to our world
from day to day

One of the many secrets,
for facing Life’s adversity
is a change of perspective;
adjusting the lens, we see

things from a Heavenly view-
whereby old problems are seen
as new opportunities, teeming
brightly, unsullied by routines

of dull, antiquated thinking.
Address all challenges head on,
without any semblance of fear;
employing some spiritual brawn

ensures that final solutions
can be found and implemented;
real satisfaction comes, when
by God, you’re complimented.

Brother,
Let this be a consolation
That there is no Great Battle
no Mighty Beast
to defeat
no bloodied soldier
to be redeemed
--only pitch darkness
where hideous dragons
seem to dance in circles
around you

Open your eyes
Again and again they call out
"Look at me!"
Like a child
needing your love

Your thoughts can only echo
their mad howling
With no end
-abandon them
for the original fear:
To see the altar within
Defiled

Open your eyes
This is the only step
that needs courage

Watch and release
Watch and release
Until peace is restored
And pain ceases

Light never remembers darkness
And all the monsters
You have made
To fill it

She was born into a red dress
Because the day was passion and strain
Her father kissed her while
Her mother bore the pain

She had a white blanket
Because she was calm
And she hugged it so
Tranquil and amazed at what she saw.

Her school uniform was grey
Because she missed her mother
And people talked to her
On the playground.

She graduated in a black gown
Because she was scared of what was coming
And was lost in the night
School had not taught her how to expect.

She met him in a blue dress
Because her feelings were between
Some loathing and comfort
And she managed to smile.

They married in yellow
Because the sun could not stay smug
And the moon was her companion
Like him that night.

She gave birth in a red dress
Because the day was full of passion
And she bore the pain
While her husband kissed her new one.

And she gave her a white blanket
And she saw her away in a grey uniform
And she watched her graduate in a black gown
She saw her marry in yellow.

And she died in white
Because she was calm
Because her old one was there
Because she had done well.