i ran across the field at night
the monsters nipping at my heels
as i sprinted past;
the darkness beckoning
with whispers of promises,
long-lost and forgotten;
of the dark desires
i locked securely behind doors of steel
and buried deep in my heart
before throwing away the key.
i ran on past the creatures
my mind couldn't comprehend—
the monsters under my bed,
in my closet,
in my home,
in my heart;
and chased the balls of light
drifting aimlessly about
radiating comfort and home;
like a snug, cosy blanket
on a cold winter day
like that one friend's rare smile
lightning up my darkest nights
like a cup of toasty tea
and the bittersweet aftertaste;
my arms reaching, reaching—
for the small tastes of joy,
of freedom,
of bliss, pure and precious
and i grabbed them
in my small palms,
eyes bright with stubborn hope
and a smile so wide
i could barely stop myself
from bursting into delightful laughter.
and i stored them all,
all the priceless fireflies
made of a happiness
that only existed in my dreams,
in a glass jar,
giggling dreamily
as i soaked in their light and warmth;
watching them flit around
with a giddy smile
hardly able to believe
that i deserved something as valuable
as this jar
filled to the brim with
tiny scraps of joy.