invocation

come, you ghosts and witches,

you wild things and things long dead

come, you licensed characters,

you ancient myths, you plays on words

come, you stuff of nightmares

of memories and dreams

come as hero, come as villain,

come demand your rightful due

come, make real the fearsome things

that keep me up at night 

come, you terror and anxiety,    

come strike me in my tenderest place

come in darkness, make me face you, 

things I never want to see, and

may my offerings ward off mischief;

may this sweetness disarm fear

poem and photo (c) 2016 D. Ohlandt

please only reprint in entirety and with credit given

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