We always whispered to each other about grandmas locked room every time we visited. It became somewhat of a rumor or tall tale.

My brother insisted that behind that green painted door, there was a secret stash of valuables and a large safe filed with the family fortune. He jokingly poked at the idea of picking the lock but never had the courage when we would stay the night.

My mother reassured ...

Lurking in the darkness,

Footsteps through the night.

Be wary of intentions,

But fear not a loathsome fright.

It slumbers in the day,

Not one for things so bright.

Consumed by ones own shadows,

Within it still holds light.

When shadow meets its match,

Shinning through, despite.

It is mirrored back to self,

Seeing black within the white.

Acknowledge self in both forms,

Without judgment for what...

He zooms his lens in a bit and corrects the focus. Panning over the people walking the street, he thinks to himself about how perfect this project is for him.

Todd has been studying photography at the city’s elective arts collage and he was out capturing street life for his final project.

The sunlight reflects off of his lens as he watches through the view finder.

*click click*

His shutter ...

Luminous shatter,

Delicate tinkling shards,

Tingling blood drips....

Dawn opens the door to Hamilton’s cage and useds her hand to gently stroke his talons. Hamilton was bestowed to her by her best friend’s family member. May’s great-aunt was an old, peculiar, lady but she always seemed to have the best intentions.

The parrot stepped onto her hang and she guided him to her shoulder.

“Are you hungry?” She coos as she strokes his beak.

“Nom Nom!” He chirps back.

...