Optophobia

I feel the heat
like a dragon's breath
upon my face,
the monster that
would try and pry
my lids apart
to look upon
the horrors
of its face.

I hear the screams
inside my skull
forcing my eyes
to remain closed,
I know there is
only one escape,
to save myself
from the sights
which would
turn all my
dreams into
nightmares.

Palms pressed
hard against
my sockets,
until my head begins to ache,
and fireworks
explode within my mind
I run.

peek-a-boo
I see you

The voices of children
echo down the hall,
following me,
taunting me
to open my eyes
and look upon
their faces
but I know
all is not what
it seems.

In the bathroom
where the light
cannot penetrate,
I shut myself in,
tentatively my eyes
open, the darkness
offering strange sanctuary,
where little can be seen,
I catch my reflection
in the mirror,
appearing ghostly
like a premonition.

My resolve absolute,
the slender,
metallic needle
held firmly between my fingers,
I tremble a moment,
and then push it through
the delicate, paper-thin skin,
teeth clenched
against the pain
until I feel the tug,
where the knot of the
thread reached its end.

Rhythmically I work,
push and pull,
trails of hot liquid
sliding down my face,
until it is done,
my eyes sewn shut,
firmly closed forever
against the world.

In the utter darkness
I smile knowing
at last I will be
safe.