My Color Monster

The monster under my bed has changed colors many times during my life. Each stage of living has brought with it growth and experience, and as a result, my monster has worn many coats and appeared in many forms.

When I was young, it was black, and its name was SOLITUDE. It lurked in the shadows and threatened to take away my parents. They were my world, and the thought that I might lose them gave my monster teeth. It knew how to bare them too, and it made me hide under the covers.

As I grew, it became the brown of mud and dirt, and its name was HUMILIATION. It knew I was smaller than the other kids, and scared of many of them. It loved to see me get pushed down to its level where it leered at me, laying prone and helpless, laughing along with the other kids.

In my teenage years it became red, and its name was LUST. It was mysterious and held out the promise of delights unseen and pleasures unimagined. It found joy in my rejection, and teased me mercilessly because I could do so little about it.

As a young man, it turned green, and changed its name to JEALOUSY. It lurked in public places, and taunted me in the leers of those who wanted my partner. Reflected in their eyes, it whispered in my ear that she wanted them as well.

In middle age, it was yellow, and went by PRIDE. It threatened at every turn to destroy everything I worked for, and more than once turned me away from the path that would have brought me rewards untold.

Eventually, it turned blue. It grew long fingers that reached all the way back in time, and its name was REGRET. It made me hate many parts of myself, and waste precious moments wishing things had been different, laughing the whole time at the futility it generated.

Finally, I learned to see it for what it was. It had no true color, but was made up of the worst ideas and habits that I possessed the entire time. It was a reflection, and it’s true name had always been FEAR. It had stood in my way and caused me to veer off course many, many times.

Once I knew its name, I faced it head on. I realized I had allies against the monster. I drew on the shield of FAITH, the sword of TRUTH, and the armor of TRUE LOVE. Thus prepared I slayed the monster, and as it exploded in a cascade of shining white light, I glimpsed the face of God behind it, telling me I had done well.

So, what color is your monster?

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© 2023 - dustygrein

(This is an updated reposting of a challenge entry from earlier this year, to describe the monster under the bed.)

NOTE:

Dear Prose Family,

I haven't seen some of you on the tag list I posted below in a long time, but I would like to see how many of you are still actively doing your thing. Please drop me a smiley face, or a p/m to let me know you are here

- Dusty