Once upon a time,

or so the story opens.

At least that’s what we say.

But is it really some imaginary

tale we tell ourselves to

make the reality speak more softly?

Is it a cushion to comfort us

while keeping the terrors and the tragedies

at bay as we work to understand

instead of shaking in fear and stress,

finding solutions or new ways of

thinking about the universe.

Fairy tales aren’t reality,

though at the center

they share a story in ways

we can digest, even find comfortable.

When we do, the answers seem

to rise to the surface

Stress reduces and we pull

together disparate threads

weaving a tapestry from

tales we tell, feelings expressed,

decisions and conclusions drawn.

A piece of art from which direction comes.

Once upon a time

we face a dragon or two, perhaps a wizard,

And like the hero in our tale, we

find a way to become our champion,

defending all against the challenges, the evils

of the world. Finding solace and peace through our struggles