Grown-ups have hiding places,
ones where we hide
from ourselves.
The bottom of a bottle
is a traditional favorite.
Toxic relationships are another.
In those, we just focus
on pleasing the other.
Conformity is a camouflage
of many different colors:
a church, a club, a cause.
But the most popular are
roles or titles:
mother, teacher, CEO,
policeman, criminal,
priest or ho,
even being gay.
You see, a long time ago,
we hid our patchwork
selves away.
But hiding places and safe places
are not the same.
Safety only comes
when we have nothing
left to lose.
When we no longer
cling to idols,
or hide behind an image.
Only when all else fails,
do we explore
the darkness inside.
Then coming face to face
with our emptiness,
we find God
and peace.