“Now close your eyes and go to a safe place”

I don’t normally believe this therapy bullshit,

But I’ll try.

I see a waterfall, without a roar, calm and kind

It leads to a small pond, with crystal clear water

Lilly pads,

the occasional frog,

and flat rocks for perching across the water.

Tall, green grass is swaying in the wind.

The sun is out, shining through the redwood trees

The trees, I swear they are talking with one another.

Giving each other encouragements to grow strong and big to protect everyone inside this oasis.

My hand touches the dirt, rich brown soil, with all the nutrients to support the trees.

And yet, fragile enough I can hold it in one hand.

The flowers are always blooming.

The only noise is the water splashing against the rocks.

I feel warm, I feel strong, I feel weak, I feel peace.

A single deer appears. The truest of prey animals.

It sees me, with my feet in the water, and yet it doesn’t run. It continues to eat.

Because here, we are safe, here we can trust, here we can’t hurt one another, here we can stay until the bad thoughts go away.