I have to keep running, running
to my secret cave, yes, that’s where
I need to be.  There, I’ll spread my
blanket around my legs,
tightening each corner down just right,
and yes, there I will be alone with
my thoughts,
and no one can spoil it.
Once I'm there, all the bad things
I said and did will go away,
and I'll be able to make new promises
and keep them!

Oh, it’s beginning to rain,
I have to hurry,
my legs are hurting so bad
but I’ll make it,
I have to make it before
the storm. I have my
favorite book, yes, and my flashlight, oh and
my chocolate milk.

Some girls are afraid of caves,
but not me!
I know the secrets written
on the walls, someone
was here once, I just know
it and scratched
their feelings down,
just like I do, only I
have crayons and nice sharp pencils!

Once I get inside, I can
talk to the spirits
and no one will laugh at me.
Sure, I talk to them,
the spirits inside the cave,
the ones who
are lost, scared and all alone.
Why, by the
time I am all comfortable,
it’ll be raining
outside, yes, brand new drops,
each one has a name because
I name them all.
Someday, when I have a best friend,
I just
know she’ll be named after the first drop in summer.

But for now, it’s ok, to be alone.
Sometimes it’s
a special time and I like it!

Oh no, it’s darker outside now,
the wind is
making a loud noise,
I don’t like that sound!
My legs are shaking,
my hands won’t stay still
and my chocolate milk is warm.
I’ll just close my eyes real
tight and wish it all
away!

It’s not working!  
I don’t want to be alone
anymore. I need someone
to hold me and tell me a story until
I fall to sleep.
Maybe the rain will tell me
a story, maybe the spirits will talk back…maybe,
maybe I’m just dreaming.  

I’m just a big scardy cat,
not brave at all!
Someday when I’m all grown up, real pretty,
I’ll be brave but not now!

Someday, when I’m a beautiful
lady just like
my mommy, I won’t ever have
to find a secret place
to run to, I’ll just be fine wherever I am.

Someday.

“Darling, wake up, you were dreaming…..
and what is that on your pajamas, chocolate milk
stains?”

"I love you, mommy!!!!!"