
We find ourselves sitting in the waning hours of dusk, speaking softly and optimistically to comfort ourselves. “Things will be okay, things will be alright.”
Rocking back and forth on the front porch, we angle our chairs toward the west to get a view of the setting sun as our hearts fill with dread. As a thread of smoke escapes the last extinguished photon of light, we hustle our families indoors. “Hurry up! By two’s and four’s. Everyone inside. Nothing good normally happens outdoors at night.” Said Ma.
Checking the windows, we locked the doors and comforted the children before putting them to bed. Cupping their faces, we told them, “There’s no reason to be afraid of the dark. Monsters aren’t real.” But we are afraid of the dark and monsters are real. And sure as shit the children can see the truth in our eyes. Our words composed of nothing more than fear induced, empty hope.
With the arrival of the darkness comes the monsters, eclipsing the land. Among the shadows, we can see faces with sharp teeth and sweaty claws pressed against the windows. We kneel in shaking form with clasped hands or extended reach, prostrate on the floor, to save us from ourselves. We pray to make it through the night, to see again the comforting rays of the Sun reemerge, casting its light through the windows and casting away the demons of the dark. But for now we sit and watch. We sit and watch as their greedy eyes dart back and forth, peering at the prey huddled inside.
Oh yes, we should be afraid of the dark because the monsters in the dark are very real. The monsters are free to roam in the darkness to oppress, persecute, and kill; split families and grind human souls and bodies into flour to nourish the insatiable demons they’ve become.
The monsters bring war. The monsters rape and commit genocide. The monsters enslave and enlist children to take up arms. The monsters greedily grab from those who huddle in their homes at night, ignoring cries for help, hoping these angels of death don’t hear the sounds of their breathing, pumped with fear.
But the dark brings with it nothing supernatural. It brings men. Not demons. Not super humans, just men. The monsters, the Ones, who have been allowed to bring the darkness by the few who gleefully gave the strongmen power and the many people who looked away for fear of the Others while saying “They want good things like I do. They are like me. They are like Us.”
The Others, who also thrive in and cheer for the light, also drop to their knees at the coming darkness of the night. Each household to its own never realizing we are simultaneously the Others and the Us. Doomed by our own hands.
By malakhai jonezs
(C) Copyright 2016
“But the dark brings with it nothing but men. Not demons. Not super humans. Just men.” They want good things like I do. They are like me. They are like us. I am afraid of the Others.” I love these lines and I relate so much to them, I don’t know if you read my poem Don’t feel sorry for me, but it says something somewhat like this. You are a great writer my friend.
WLP, I hope you don’t mind me calling you that. Its an acronym of your site.
I just read the poem, “Don’t feel sorry for me,” and it is very similar in spirit. I like all of your poetry. I enjoy artists who have the ability to provide a message on rhythm. You have a great spirit! Thank you for sharing the beauty of your wisdom, thoughts, and emotion through your pieces.
Ditto, and no in don’t mind the acronym 😊❤️
I’m following now, so I’ll be checking out more on your site.
Cool I was already following yours new friend – your a very talented writer
I appreciate the compliment. You are very talented as a writer! 😄. This is just a side hobby to keep me sane or closer to being sane. My only goal is to entertain and cause some thinking about things we blindly accept along the way. You’ve got a new friend indeed. 👍🏾😃❤️
👍😊❤️
This speaks volumes, M.
I read somewhere that monsters are not born, they are made…and our society has made so many of them. And sadly, most of us are monsters–to a lesser or greater degree.
Great work, my friend!
Thanks again Cathy! I agree completely. It’s such a sobering thought that we have to live this way, that we must treat each other as prey. Thanks again, Cathy!
Yeah, it is…and the sad thing is, I don’t see things getting any better.
You’re welcome, M.
This is fantastic.
Thank you Kelley!