Flirtin' With the Monster

sometimes banned, by “gatekeepers” (librarians, teachers, or parents) who believe they serve the best interest of young adult readers by choosing what they may or may not read.

faultless human race?
Do I strive
to please the gatekeepers
who’d rather close their eyes?
Or does a candid glimpse
of underbelly truly serve you better?
My books are often challenged, and some

Shall I create
for you a perfect world
where you can safely wander?
Society scrubbed sterile,
free from imperfections?
Should I dream
for you characters who
never make mistakes?
Conflict lacking conflict?

While we were gone, Kristina threw a party and her friends all helped themselves to wrapped gifts from under our tree—a holiday grab bag.