noxious animals are colorfully bright
the vibrance and patterns a warning
a warning to not get too close
that they're a danger
it's protection for them
I douse myself in all the colors of the rainbow
warning the wrong people to stay away
and the right people, the people like me
will stay
it's a warning for some
and an invitation for others

I may seem stoic in this new situation
and for a while I was fine
then it hit me like a truck
my heart was the only casualty
tears threatened to spill
but I kept them at bay
I'm an adult
but I'll always miss my parents
I just want to hug them goodnight
but 2 and a half hours of driving separate us
I may seem stoic in this new situation
but on the inside my heart aches for them
stoicism is just a mask for the internal havoc of emotions

the water is pulling me in
pulling me under
churning around me
as my lungs fill with the salty ocean spray
I hear the name of the maelstrom
loneliness
loneliness is drowning me
deep into its depths
this maelstrom of loneliness is killing me
will it ever end?
will I ever swim to shore
and escape it's wrath?
maybe hope is in the horizon

I rescind my apprehensions and anxieties about college
a new place with new people and new experiences
that always lets the nerves to creep in and take control
but this time is different
I feel confident and accomplished
I take this time in my life in strides
and I succeed
it's only been 2 full days of classes
but I got this
so I rescind my apprehensions and anxieties
about college
I am thriving
now I just need some friends (other than my roommate)

in a world full of filters
and plastic surgery
and fake influencers
it's hard to find verisimilitude
people lie for money
or fame
or for a grain of attention
how can we tell what's real
and what's a facade
but I see a speck of hope
this community is full of verisimilitude
our words flow from our fingers
leaving us stripped to our bones
and vulnerable
as we pour our hearts out
and bare our souls
finding likeminded individuals
who understand our pain
and joy
and sadness
and love
this community is full of verisimilitude

the door swung open
gusts of wind pushing be back
as I stumble from the force
yes it is true
I have witnessed a tempest
my hair whips my face from the gales
chills ripple under my skin from the freezing air
yes it is a tempest
such a commanding storm
the walls creak from the dominating weather
such a beautiful violence

her sillage settled in my room
after she left
it brings back memories of
what we did that night
your lips pressed against mine
my hands on you soft skin
feeling the curves of your body
I was high on your touch
couldn't get enough
always needed more of you
now you're gone
and all I'm left with
are the memories

the sheer diaphanous veil
covered the bride's face
she was suppressing tears
not tears of joy
but of sadness
she had no choice in this marriage
forced to don the white lacey dress
slather on makeup
and walk down the aisle
and swear to marry a stranger
and obey his every command