when pain burns bright, stirs up a clamor
shuts out the sights of glitz and glamour
when mind and body face exhaustion
fatigued and weary — take precaution
let lights of grief shine bright around you
let noise of horrors’ cries surround you
let in no person, words or thoughts,
who’ll only worsen worries’ knots
set doors and walls to keep you sane
until you’re ready to rise again
and when you rise to meet the day
when you’ve recovered, chased fears away
your friends will be here greeting you
with smiles and cheers awaiting you


For Magaly’s Trinkets and Armor 3: Boundaries Save Lives (and teeth).
Images from Hanna Karlzon’s coloring book Seasons.