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Reality
by Emma, Qualicum Beach, Canada, Age 15

Lying supine in the damp bed of grass
Sun’s radiance caressing the bruised salty cheek
Musty scent of cool earth disguising fears
End of summer breeze arousing bogus sensations of calm;
Kissing freshly procured wounds
Airborne whispers of a peaceful time
… A life time ago
Eyelids shutting away the dark truth
Daydreaming of this unrealistic reality
Of happiness
So close you can almost feel its warmth
It’s comfortingly neutral aroma
Its words almost calming the hurt
Almost succeeding in shutting out the bad
… Until
Crack of slamming door tearing at the seams of contentment
Drunken shouting shatters solitude
Pungent smell of hard liquor closes in
Shutting out the light
Forcefully familiar advances smother desperate defenses
This is reality
Happiness is unrealistic