When Sparks Fly

by Kristen Zimmer

Haunted houses, horror movies, all that shit. I don’t know, being scared is just exciting.” That isn’t real fear. It’s fun to be scared of ghosts and goblins, things that don’t exist in the world. The only actual monsters are human beings, and some are as horrible as it gets.

The only acceptable time for tears is during a panic attack when my logical brain goes into hibernation and my primordial lizard brain takes over.

someone who’s so careful with their emotions that they guard them like they’re vile, perilous things.

Hit me with your worst; I want it, as long as it’s real.

How do I see this place mankind calls home? It can be ugly—violent, unfair and unforgiving, which makes the beauty in it stand out so ferociously, streaks of color in an achromatic mural. What makes it beautiful? Happiness. Sadness. Tenacity. Vulnerability. Kindness. Friendship. Love.