I settle on a seat distant from the world and my life Here I observe the souls of those overcome with strifeΒ Β Settling on a bench sheltered with fallen flowers from the shivers of trees recovering from nighttime terrors Red plaid shorts damp beneath me A book sprawled open on my lap watching with pure envy as my eyes trace a phrase my mind is quickly trapped in "its the truth even if it didn't happen" I experience the sun blaze its rays down onto my thighs Drawing crimson marks with my nails, I analyze There's a strange sense of comfort in the burning sensation The fear of not knowing what to expect consumes my self isolation The unknown lingers in my mind, crimson now engrossed I can always trust that the sunlight will never stop sizzling sunburnt skin So instead of cursing the pain, I find it sublime for it is the most secure I've felt in a long time