We teach children
about Santa Claus
and the Tooth Fairy
and the Easter Bunny
and then one day
tell them to stop being silly:
“you’re too old for that now.”
We give them
nightlights
and safety blankets
when they’re scared
and whisper:
“everything will be okay”
and then one day
expect them
to grow out of it –
to give it up.
Yet –
we all have our own
Santa Claus
and Tooth Fairy
and Easter Bunny.
Our very own
nightlights
and safety blankets.
Ours are
nailed to crosses
flying on winged horses
dancing with four arms
and sitting under a tree.
We pray
and sing
and hope
and prostrate ourselves
because…
Because of what?
Are you scared of the dark?
Scared of what you can’t see?
Afraid of falling asleep
and never waking up?
Scared of pain
and feeling out of control?
Lost?
Broken?
Beaten?
Damned?
You who point the finger
with logs in your eyes:
you are still
that scared little child
and you know –
deep down you know –
that you are scared
of life,
of death,
existence,
reality…
…it’s a bitch
but at least
it’s real.
You have my blessing:
stay in the dark
while holding
your nighlight
and safety blanket.
But –
Keep the innocent
in the light
and for God’s sake
don’t drag them down
to hell
with you!
Keep your fear,
your guilt,
your shame,
your dirt,
to yourself.
We are blameless,
innocent
and pure.
We are the children
of this world –
the real world:
we are the children
of the light!