Boxes

A friend of a friend named 'Charlie' wrote the following 'Exploring my Mind'.....it very much reminds me of Michael and Philip's confusing fear-filled world:


Exploring my Mind

Flashlight in hand

Searching cobweb covered corners

Discarded memories in dusty cardboard boxes

On one box are the words 'Do Not Open'

Written by the hand of a child

Shining my light inside the box

I discover three brown paper bags

I open the note marked 'Confidence'

It is filled to the top

With emptiness

The second bag is marked 'Fear'
Bulging and much too heavy to lift
Feeling uneasy about looking inside

I shine my light on the third bag

This one is marked 'Dreams'

Written in colorful letters

This one too is bulging, but as light as a feather

Slowly opening the bag

I suddenly hear the most beautiful music

My ears have ever heard

Gazing inside, my eyes are held captive
By the wonder of it's contents
Visions of hope, love, understanding, happiness, and peace

All of the things that dreams are made of

I know now that there is no reason to look inside the bag marked 'Fear'

I know full well what is inside

Nightmares, broken dreams, disappointment, all- kinds-of abuse, and despair

The weight of the world on a child's shoulders

I understand the emptiness that is felt when self-confidence is stripped away
The heaviness of fear and what it does to a child
The lightness and hope that dreams bring, and just how important dreams are

I turn out my light and awaken

With only a vague memory of a journey

-Charles R. James