Rise to the Night
– Josiah Vermont
When I was a child the bucket toilet was for girls
We who stood up to release
watered the flowers outside
Even when it was freezing
Even when darkness fell early
Every night I was afraid
Each night I faced the monsters
Fear was replaced with calm
The unknown was now comfortable
Darkness became my friend
”What about coyotes?” you asked at 5 years old
”Become a wolf” I replied, “Daddy is right here”
I howled at the abyss and you howled with me
This is how we raise warriors-
rise to the night and face your fear
I heard you jumped in the deep end yesterday
My Heart is a young man now, strong like I once was
I would have loved to raise you all the way
You’ve already made me proud
And what does the warrior whisper back to fate?
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Josiah Vermont 