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Writer's picture13days13shorts

Safety by hil hoover



you hold the tiny sticks of wood 

so gently in your clumsy fingers

like sacred talismans against 

the Other, the Nothing, the Lost, 

everything that might go wrong

in the darkness.


try to measure with just your gaze

how many left in the box 

because to count them 

over and over again

is a madness you can’t 

admit to.


clutch them with your faltering grip

while everything around you 

swirls in chaos: 

this you will have

this you will keep 

through the night.


but when the moment comes

for your trembling fingers

to make that fateful strike,

it’s not the light that saves you

not with how the shadows dance 

in its wake.


it’s the heat on your face

knowing you are still alive 

to feel it, and then 

WHEW 

letting it go

with a breath.


the scent that wafts to your 

nose, clings to the blanket 

that is your last defense against

the fall chill,

that says: 


there was light here, 

there will be again. 

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6 Comments


durham42
Oct 25

Yet another beautiful and thought-provoking offering – thank you!

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hil hoover
hil hoover
Oct 26
Replying to

thank you!

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Kelsey Thomas
Kelsey Thomas
Oct 24

I can't explain why, but this one might be my favorite of yours so far this year. Incredible <3

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hil hoover
hil hoover
Oct 26
Replying to

it felt very good to write, so I'm glad it also felt so good to read. <3

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Omar Najam
Oct 24

The manner in which you can compare the textures of wood and smoke is just... absolutely perfect for this theme. In fact, all of your comparisons and contrasts are amazing. I personally loved "clutch them with your faltering grip"

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hil hoover
hil hoover
Oct 26
Replying to

thank you! my first thought about 'matchstick' was definitely what a tactile experience they are, as well as a scent one.

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