I hear my parents yelling.

Loud, threatening voices

My mom storms out

My dad slams the door

I run and hide

No matter where I go

They’re always there

They seem to find me,

Whether in my dreams or right in front of me

As I curl into a ball

Tears streaming down my face

I see the darkness coming in.

Enveloping me and closing in

Like the sun setting yet it’s as dark as midnight,

The only thing shining through is the glimmer of hope

A little strand

Teasing me,

Taunting me,

Awaiting me, at the other end

The hope I see becomes my all,

The only thing keeping me afloat

It keeps me going, no matter what

It gives the strength to see the sunrise, again

It makes me realize that I have more to live

It tells me to keep going and to not give up

It tells me to keep hope

In my darkest times, it’s always there.