The loneliness of silence
can feel drowning
Like the ship you were on, s
                                                  u
                                                     n
                                                        k
Hearing nothing and everything
at the same time
An escape is just what I need
Headphones in, world out
That’s better
But not for long
Still thinking, still reminiscing
Still hoping
I’m o.k with it all
until the night creeps up on me
Like a cat trying to catch a mouse
Who knows what’s going to happen next?

Might as well shut my eyes
But, that’s when I see the most
The vivid images of when I was young
How my eyes would light up
when my brother would ask me to play catch with him
Staying up past bedtime to wait for my mom to get home
To tell her “Sweet dreams” and “Goodnight”
Carefree, innocent, but most of all, genuinely happy
No petty drama
No one to compare myself to
Being alone didn’t feel suffocating

The past is the past
Never knew quite where to go
Same me, different surroundings
Couldn’t keep up with the changes
Until now

The silence is becoming bearable
Late night thoughts start to be about the future
How successful does a person really need to be?
Realizations are being made
As well as decisions
Brighter, better days are to come
Loved ones stay here by my side
I’m here
I have a long way to go There’s no need to rush