Striking Matches

With a book of matches
Mom sent me to the backyard
to burn the trash.
Staring at the the trash pile,
I was overwhelmed with fear.
As I tried to strike a match,
the feelings in my insides
was too powerful,
I ran back to the house.

Mom was angry,
Yet understanding.
She lit a match, then
handed me the matches,
telling me to do the same.
Nervously, I did it.
Nothing awful happened.
Mom taught me how to
face my fear.
Now I can use matches
whenever I want.