rose petals and soccer balls

hide and seek

'i'm hiding,' i whisper, giggling a little
'where?' she replies, spinning around
i hush myself, i stay silent
i play pretend in my own darkness

'i'm still hiding,' i say, a little louder
she's passed me a thousand times
i cannot let her find me. i can't be revealed!
i pick at dirt and grime on the floor.

a tear rolls down my cheek
why hasn't she found me? why?
i must've been squatting here for a million years
i allow myself to cry and cry in the dark

i am exhausted. i'm almost all grown up now!
she hasn't come by in a while
i don't think she'll ever find me. i'm very tired
but i am a secret. secrets must be kept

the sky is a rainbow of colors
i poke my head around the corner
i'm scared to come out. i'm rattled to the bone
but i'm hungry. and cold. and tired.

the sky is bright and still very colorful
i look out upon it with a radiating smile
i haven't seen the sky in so long
why was i hiding? look at what i missed!

i tell her that i've been hiding.
she smiles and pats me on the back
'i've been looking for you!' she says happily. 'i was worried you'd never be found.'

but i was. not by her. i found myself
i couldn't be happier. being out was fun!
with a smile and another look onto that gorgeous sky
i promise myself to never hide
to never be afraid
to never live in the dark
again.