Poem: Guiding Darkness

A poem written based off a writing prompt someone sent to me on Bluesky.

Darkness is a tapestry in which 
Holds each memory to its chest. 

It remembers the night you were born, 
And the purple sky above your first kiss. 

It relishes the moment you spent 
Crying and hurting under the covers, 
Your hands clenching the blanket 
To your face as the tears worked 
To counter your concealing force. 

It thinks about the game of hide 
And go seek you used to play with 
Your siblings just before bed. 

And it watches cautiously as you 
Stride down the road after midnight. 

A looming force that feels unsettling, 
But gives guidance as you hold steadfast, 
Proud tears in its fabric as it tries to 
Guide you to your accomplishments. 

And deep longing to save you from the 
Struggles you’re destined to go through. 

It is something that is seen as scary, 
Though it wishes this was otherwise. 
But perhaps, all it can do is spectate, 
Watching as you wander through life– 
But hoping like all tapestries do, 
That you’ll see how darkness can be 
More than just another fear.