Shielded

Under night skies,

I fall...

s

 p

i

 r

a

 l 

down into the 

recesses of my mind

and 

thoughts keep me 

chained onto

myself 

as I search 

for verses 

to describe 

what I need.

I am silent.

but the quiet speaks more

than any words 

and the chaotic calm

whirls around 

until the air is still

and at the same time

buzzing with everything

unspoken.

I find peace and pain 

in the swirl of colors

behind my eyelids, 

keep them closed 

so I don't have to 

see all the ugliness

in the world 

and my fingers are

bruised from 

trying to push 

away the darkness.

Feeling around to 

find my way 

in a place that 

screams and sings 

and dances

from one moment 

to the next, 

I am lost 

and 

found 

in my poetry.