trevor’s encyclopedia of lost and beautiful things

I’m afraid of the dark.

It’s scary not being able to see and not being able to know what’s around you.

I don’t know about you, but when I can’t see in the dark my hearing gets magnified. 

Hearing becomes my super power. 

I hear the creak of a board on a neighbors porch, a drip of water in our outdoor bathroom, a scritch-scratching branch in the breeze over the roof of our bus. 

Everything is right there.

I just can’t see it.

When I was a little boy, my abuelo taught me what to do when I’m afraid in the dark.

"Little salt,” he said, "if you wake and it's dark, don't be afraid. 

Keep your eyes wide open and whisper, 'I am salt. I am light. I am made from the dust,’ three times. 

When you’re finished whispering those words, everything’ll be okay. 

I promise."

I am salt. I am light. I am made from the dust.

I am salt. I am light. I am made from the dust.

I am salt. I am light. I am made from the dust.

My abuelo was right, as he usually is.

I can see.

Here I am.