Torn Veil

I used to be scared of clowns.

Their creepy smiles plastered on painted faces.

Wide eyes that never seem to blink.

The ones that squeeze into those little cars,

The ones that lurk in the shadows.

I used to be scared of clowns,

But now I’m only afraid of the one with the nuclear codes.

I used to be scared of the villains in the movies.

Ready to kill our hero,

Spreading hate and fear,

Death and destruction,

A pistol in hand.

But as I shook,

My mother assures,

“It’s just a movie.

They aren’t real.”

But now I’m seeing them on the news.

I used to have nightmares that I couldn’t speak.

Screaming and screaming until my throat was sore

And getting only silence.

Now I fear my voice is heard yet insignificant.

I used to be scared of men with needles

Trying to take my blood.

Now I’m scared of men with pills

Trying to take my innocence.

I used to be afraid of death.

Where do I go?

What will I see?

Will I see pearly gates upon the clouds,

Or raging, all-consuming flames?

Or I will be met with nothing but inky blackness?

Now I am afraid of how many people are finding out early

I used to believe the world was beautiful

That man was kind and just

But every day I’m disappointed

As I watch the innocent die on my TV

And the planet burn

Rowan Martin, Grade 9

Creative Writing Major