There was the strangest phenomenon when I was little.

Visitors of the unusual kind would come to me in the middle of the night.

If sleep did not take me first they would come.

An expected occurrence.

***

Vibrant shapes would fill the air.

Sometimes they would move in a line and other times in complex patterns.

A distracting parade that still existed when eyes were closed or the light was on.

Months later, only points of colored lights danced in the place of shapes.

***

I hated that nightly parade.

My mind remained distracted and chased sleep from every corner of my mind so it had no place to bloom.

Rest was my only concern and I held no respect for my nightly visitors.

Perhaps that is why they went away.

***

Dreaming is a wonderful luxury but sometimes I find myself missing those old childhood friends.

Developing eyesight or dreams made manifest, it does not matter.

They were a special gift to keep me company on those dark nights.

I may have grown out of those colorful lights but not the dark.