Cuddling Demons

I used to swing a silver sword at midnight’s grumpy crew,

But now I knit them sweaters, pour a mug of chai or two.

When Doom knocks like a drummer with a thundercloudy tune,

I boop the snoot of gloom and say, “Inside, we have a spoon.”

We stir up cocoa constellations, marshmallows like small moons,

Lay down a nest of blankets, cuddle troubles into swoons.

Anxiety arrives in spikes ... looks scary, kinda loud ...

I tuck it in a flannel burrito, “shh,” I say, so proud.

Procrastination claws the rug, demanding epic strife;

I hand it waffles, whisper, “We can schedule life.”

Fear shows up in dragon boots, rehearsing doom and dread ...

We binge the comfy sitcoms; it falls asleep instead.

We don’t do tug-of-war now; we do snug-of-war, you see:

A hug-of-war where no one’s torn and everyone can be.

I keep a basket by the door: hot tea, plush empathy,

A flashlight for catastrophes, a sticker: “Breathe with me.”

The demons aren’t defeated; they’re invited to unwind ...

They soften like a cookie left in milk of kinder mind.

So if your closet growls tonight, don’t summon steel or smoke;

Bring blankets, jokes, and bedside snacks ... monsters love a joke.

Because cuddling isn’t weakness; it’s a secret, starry art:

You wrap your arms around the dark and light up from the heart.

- Julia O’Hara 2025

THANK YOU for reading my work. I am a global nomad/permanent traveler, or Coddiwombler, if you will, and I move from place to place about every three months. I am currently in Peru and heading to Chile in a few days and from there, who knows? I enjoy writing articles, stories, songs and poems about life, spirituality and my travels. You can find my songs linked below. Feel free to like and subscribe on any of the platforms. And if you are inspired to, tips are always appreciated, but not necessary. I just like sharing.

YouTube Top Song List.

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