Only a Game

Everything is a game to me;

The game is a cruel demon.

It is secretive, revealing itself atom by atom.

Even the gentlest bump from the demon will drain the soul:

The game is a power struggle;

Power over threats, threats posed by those closest.

The demon's lightest shake causes death:

The soul crumbles under power's chain, corrupted.

The body returns to dust;

Demon's talon beckons the cells apart.

<You make little sense...>

<Where does this game begin, let alone end?>

The game begins at the end; 

It ends deep within the mind's shadows.

As the end draws near,

The beginning oozes forth.

Self Awareness

Self-awareness serves much purpose.

It's purest form, a rare gift to find.

Forms:  Physical. Psychological. Spiritual.

Physical:

The body is mysterious,

Often changing through age;

It has many parts to explore, inside and out.

Best to know one's own body,

Before being caught off guard at the changes it's gone through.

Psychological:

More complex then imaginable;

Less understandable then paper portrays believable.

We try to understand,

Try to know it like the back of our hand.

We untwist section by section...

Only to see new twists awaiting detection.

Spiritual:

We all search for something,

Something reliable to get us to tomorrow.

Nothing for a solid grasp,

Means slipping out of life's safety clasp.

Honesty to face true thoughts;

Our biggest struggle:

Accepting with what we are caught.

Trap Door

The the face-hole which makes words is a fascinating door.

Many times is pays to open, but often it pays to keep one's trap shut.

How can one be sure it which scenario they are in?

Humans possess the gift of common sense;

It proves useful for such an occasion.

Fire. Acid. Poison. Whip. Chain. Knife.

Medicine. Lifeline. Guide. Freedom's key. Game changer. Peacekeeper.

All embodiments of this door.

All lurking beneath this trap's mouth.

Who can tame the trap?

It is said to be untamable.

Who's job is it to see the trap be made effective for good?

The owner. 

But what if the owner is incapable of mastering this trap?

Let the owner's more capable caretaker teach the first commands.

The owner shall grow into the job.

Dangerous and unpredictable. 

Challenging and precious.

Over Protecting VS Safety Guard

<Why are my parents so over protective>

I think you are mistaking over protecting with guarding safety.

<There's a difference?>

Yes. There is a difference. And a significant one at that.

Over protecting would be treating the average safety bar like it was nonexistent.

Their "average" safety bar would be the norm for elevated-high security.

Safety guarding is more along the lines of:

[Hey I know what's out there and you don't, so I need you to trust me on this.]

[I'll explain more when you show me you're ready to know]

[There are bad people there. I don't want you in the wrong place at the wrong time.]

<Okay... But who's to say what's average?>

Hmm. Perhaps whoever is in charge of said person.

<Sure then>

<But what if the "average" for one differs from the "average" of another?>

Then I'd say it is best to agree to disagree.

Look, let's say one person is not allowing their child to do something in concern for their safety;

Appreciate they care.

The kid can't control what their parent picks as safe and unsafe.

They can only control their response.

<I understand>
<It's ultimately out of the kid's control where they go/what they do>
<Best we can do and appreciate concern>