Phobia

R E L A X................. the memory does not disturb you. You are happy to go back in time to that silly moment when you first encountered the mongrel dog and you were sooo afraid. As you return now to the time and place, you feel upon your skin a hot and burning sun, its golden rays so bright that warmth and calmness overcomes you soon. Renewed with energy you gaze into reflections of the nearby creek, it shows a trim and unafraid, a youthful lad who bears a smile. You turn and see him, standing there, a mangy tail between his legs, a scruffy coat and ribs symmetrical and prominent. A critter wearing tags that spell in bold raised letters My Name Is Puny. There is a tremor as he turns his eyes away, a nervous tic to flash across his ugly face. But as you stare, with pity at what you once, so long ago, feared more than death, a very bright and healing light appears, surrounding, now, the creature like a halo. And, instantly, you know that all your stresses, fears and negatives have kindly gone. There is no need for them to stay with you, the master over life's own fears.