Alone.

What is this "sanctuary" that society calls "alone"?

It takes over the mind like a parasite

and leaves just as much damage.

Loneliness is a punishment but some see it as a reward.

Sometimes it is.

It gets you to rethink things. 

Your life, your mistakes, yourself, everything. 

That is also how it is a punishment.

If you think too long, you might snap.

There's a phobia for this just like everything else.

Autophobia, they call it.

By definition it is a morbid fear of isolation. 

Something we all have at some point.

"Alone" is either a blessing or a curse.

It is not just a feeling. 

It's a state of being whether it's physical, mental, emotional, or just there.

It's an invisible leech of the mind, a disease with many cures but also none at all. 

It'll make or break you.

If you let it break you, then that's your cross to bear.

If you let it make you, recreate you, then you'll continue to grow stronger.

But so will the parasite that society calls "Alone".