Normal for a Night

Midnight black bleeds through
one night of the year
when daemons
witches
gargoyles too
all get to play with the humans.
Do not look to close
lurching down the street
giggles
screams of glee
painted smile
kick that dropped body part
under the tree.
Chase no one away
for you know not who
those witches three maybe
careful now
‘fore they turn you into stew.
Vampires
hover at the doorstep
hoping to be asked in
yet in today’s age
no one will give in.
Listless away they go
witches three
vampires four
waiting for the gargoyles
watched the ghosts play with the children…..
sudden sparkle comes to their eyes
for there is a wonder
they have forgotten again….
All Hallow’s Eve
the one night they blend in.

©Oct. 16/19
Picture via Pixabay

Truth’s Ballad

How battered
how bruised
how broken
must I be
that I view everything you say
under scrutiny.
Thoughts
always twisted
expectant of the worst
never expecting the good.
Cannot believe the hurt
stifled for so long
brewing
bursting through my skin.
Death worms
boring outward
escaping with their vile shards
stomped beneath my boot
as they fall.
No one loves you.
I am loved.
You are ugly.
I see my beauty.
It comes from within.
No one wants to hear your pain.
I am surrounded by those
who share my pain
hold my hand
hug me tight
let me cry.
You are shallow
selfish
insignificant in this world.
I am me.
I am imperfect.
I have shattered.
I have remade myself.
I am learning to listen
finally
to the most important person of all…..
myself.
Clothed in color
standing upon cliff’s edge
within my hands
ashes of…..
the horror of my past
the fear that tried to bind me
the voice
wailing in fear
in shame
in pain
no longer caged
no longer tongueless
soars
released to the skies
song upon the bird’s wings.

©Oct. 16/19
Picture is my own