Not Gentle
31st May 2022

Taking the places of childhood monsters imagined under the bed, borne of too much too soon, ethereal forms we don’t understand move in.

Untethered they roam with us while hand in hand on walks to school, find cover in 'what sandwiches do you want for lunch today', lay hiding in seemingly innocuous friendship circles and after school activities.

We were not prepared. Taken by surprise we now stroke imperfectly healed scars, hard to look at in the light, in cases leaving lasting hurt in little lives.

Growing up it seems contorted competition ...no gentle transition.


Prompt: No transition.

Temple carvings, Angor Wat, Cambodia.