The Hunt
Joanna Disch

Have you ever heard the saying
“You become
like the five people you spend
the most time with”?
Speaking from experience,
they’re right.

You don’t even realize
the pit you’re falling into
Until one day
You’re stumbling over your words
After being confronted about
the nasty rumor you’ve been spreading.

You see, it’s a slow process,
at first,
you’re still kind,
their critique of community
makes you squirm.

But as you become blinded
by your desperation for human contact
Your guard is lowered.
You want to speak like them,
dress like them,
act like them,
As long as you’re not alone.

They ensnare you with seeming acceptance and phony love.
“They’ve made me who I am today!”
You’ll say.
And you’ll be right.
They created a ruthless hunter,
Just like them.

What you fail to realize
is that while you are slandering your peers,
they’re picking your personality
to pieces.
They’re sharpening the knife
preparing to strike.
Tensed for their
chance to unsheath their claws and go for the ****.
When the time comes,
you won’t expect it,
you’ll think you’ve found
your best friends for life.
But then they leave you broken and alone.
Right back where you started.

But it’s alright.
Sometimes,
in the darkest times
is when you find your light.