paper tigers
once the children moved out
demons moved in disguised
as paper tigers roaming
from room to room
their emerald eyes shined
from the darkest corners
of the night reminding me
of a love I once had
I fed them sad stories
in exchange for my life
but their promises of light
I could not fathom
I asked them kindly to leave
my world but they curled
where the winter sun
shined through glass
in the spring I found strength
to unfold and reshape
keeping the demons at bay
as paper angels hanging
april two thousand thirteen
copyright j matthew waters
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