Oblivion, an empty void that I once sought, but

Never knowing I already dwelled there, its source

Eluded me, my life disjointed and incomplete like

Gazing at my reflection in a shattered mirror that

Lies in pieces, splintered fragments that pierced my

Heart, a silent implosion of self-induced limitations.

And so I forged a suit of arms crafted from the

Essence of my own misconceptions, how I

Perceived myself perceived by others, and to

Guard against any who might try to make me

Think otherwise, lest they discover my greatest

Weakness, a malaise called Loneliness.

This armor I named Indifference, and I wore

It well beneath a grinning mask that I hoped

Would distract outsiders from the haunted eyes

Peering out from behind it, always watchful, yet

Rarely seeing beyond what my heart swore to be

True, whispered inadequacies of my own design.

Oblivious of who I really was.

END

“Misconceptions”