tidal nostalgia floods in
staining the sand beneath
each step i take.

you wish
to be invisible.
you envy
the very ghosts that
haunt you.

dead inside
though still alive,
you’re halfway there
i suppose.

please just know,
these walls i have built
are only to contain
some very strong storm within.

for these clouds are contagious,
this rain is relentless,
and these winds are destructive.

please just know,
these walls i have built,
serve a great purpose-
one i hope you never
have to realize.

glossy eyes
locked in a
downward gaze,
counting each
passing crack
i step over.

a raging war
in my mind,
a battleground
upon sidewalks,
just trying
somehow
to take cover.

head sinking into the pillow
memories of the day
begin to bleed out
and soak the mattress beneath.
tired sigh releasing
the rubber band from
its finger gun as i
lay my arms down
beside my body.
armor falling down
as the covers are pulled
hiding my wounded body
under a silk shelter
from the enemies of today.