When You Grow Up Knowing Monsters Are Real (A Poem)

When you grow up knowing monsters are real

You see them here. You see them there.

The ones some imagine are under the bed

They’re real. They’re alive.

The ones some tell you are inside your head

Lurk in the shadows, waiting to pounce

On movie screens, the characters hide

But you’re the one hiding and this is real life

When you grow up knowing monsters are real

You arrive at adulthood awake and alert

You know the best places to hide

And carry your weapons

Everywhere you go

You move quite a lot

From place to place, job to job

Knowing the danger of staying in one spot

You’ve become unpredictable,

A confusing prey

Your knives are always ready

Your sword on display

When you grow up knowing monsters are real

Sometimes you see them when they are not there

But more often than not

You see what others do not

In fighting the monsters

Staying one step ahead

Sometimes your sharp edges

Nick regular folks

Who think monsters aren’t real

Who laugh at fairytales

Who think horror stories

Are entertaining and fake

Maybe they’re lucky

And never have to hide

Maybe they make it to the end of their life

Laughing at those who carry their weapons

Declaring Monster-Seers walk in a dream

When you grow up knowing monsters are real

Your world is a nightmare more than a dream

Sometimes you get to lay down your sword

But it’s always nearby

Your eyes never close

Then one day

One of the places you move

You find a handful of people

Who can see monsters too

They carry weapons of their own

And know where to hide

A couple, then a few

You form a band

You’re fighting together

Because your new friends

Know monsters are real

You can sleep now

While the others keep watch

Your weapons are close

But you don’t need them as much

You’re still fighting monsters

They’re still just as real

The only difference now

Is you are believed

And the monsters aren’t as scary

Though they’re still just as big

It’s just a bit easier

When you’re not fighting alone

There is power and rest when you are seen and believed.

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