Rattlesnake

I’m hurting. Let me hurt. Let me wallow in the pain. Let me get swallowed by it. Let me stay in my dark hole. It’s comfortable and familiar. Don’t reach in and try to drag me out of my dark hole. Don’t assume just because I venture out of my hole that I’m better and I want you near me.

Try me. I dare you. Walk close to me or my dark hole. I’ll warn you. You will hear my warning. Hear my warning, please. Run from me. Leave me. I don’t want to hurt you. Do you hear me? Listen to my warning. This is real, please leave.

I don’t like what will happen next. I don’t want to do it. I tried to warn you. You heard my warning over and over and over again. But you didn’t leave. You will try to pull me from my dark hole. I will lash out and strike. I will hurt you. Remember the pain, remember the hurt I caused you.

Next time, listen to my warning.