Understanding: age 15

by Sally Ann Houston

I am afraid in this passage of my life.

It is dark and stormy and cruel

With sharp piercing teeth

and its cold harsh claws

tightly closed around me.

How happy I will be to continue on

to another passage of my life,

on to a separate part of my life,

to leave this beast far behind me.

Even there I sense another beast awaits me.

a storm of such cruel hatred

to pound down upon me

with destructive force.

Then another and another

passage after passage

beast after beast

and I am afraid.

but there is hope

There must be hope

for I have seen it

in the face of understanding.

Peace and joy overwhelm me

to think of those, that do care,

to give me strength

to see that these beasts

that continually haunt me

are not beasts at all

but only fear and ignorance, now gone

and I am no longer afraid.

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About the Author: Sarah B. Royal

Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.

Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.

Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.

Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.

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