The Great Pillow Fort 

Elizabeth Kenagy 

When I was young
I used to fear the stormy monsters,
So my brother fought them off .

He hid me from their anger
Inside the warm embrace of a windowless home.
A fortress of protection.
Built from pillows and blankets.

Towering chairs and furniture
Became the framework of our fortress.
Leather bound books from the study
Was the mortar that held it together.

We’d spend the evening cocooned
Beneath the haven of its walls,
Exploring the entanglement of rooms
Connected throughout the space.

In the kitchen we’d enjoy treats
Of cupcake shaped Play-Doh
And wash it down with pink lemonade
In red plastic teacups.

We’d then retire to our rooms
Separated by curtained walls.
Each room a nest of pillows
Guarded by ferocious plushies.

During that night,
Within our Great Fortress,
I did not fear the stormy monsters.

But what happens when
Children grow up
And monsters don’t go away?

Instead they get scarier,
And big brother can’t protect you,
He can’t even protect himself.