I chased my thoughts away
with a scream,
yet they still flocked back to
peck, peck, peck
at my peace of mind.

I’ll be your safety net
for the climb you have
ahead.

Forge your way,
you precious soul,
and search
for your joy with gusto.

My heart still beats,
My body still breathes,
And the earth still travels
regardless.

Live with your demons,
they’re often here to stay.

Let them have their say,
but never own it.

I know what it’s like;
To break a heart.
To have no malice,
Yet still tear one apart.

It took a while to see
That you weren’t for me,
But you wouldn’t set me free,
So I did it;
For self-preservation.

Second time around,
because graceful didn’t cut it.

Time to smash the whole bottle
against the wall.

And so I learned to hide.
My camouflage protecting me
from pain,
but keeping both the freaks
and the norms at bay.