when I turned eighteen, the world changed.
it wasn't obvious at first.
there was a feeling of unease as I saw
blurred figures passing
with their hurried paces
and empty smiles
on worn out faces.
the facade around me had finally fallen.
the sunshine which had blinded me from
the hurricanes on the streets
was suddenly covered by
the clouds of adulthood.
at every turn a new monster lurked,
their claws reaching out to tear me from all I'd known
and throw me into a world of isolation.
there I meet the shadow,
who welcomes me with open arms and promises
no harm should come to me if I obey.
the warning sings, a lethal melody.
if I don't fall pray to dark desires
or keep my balance on crooked wires
I'll never escape the darkness again.
for the first time, I find myself speechless.
I had never known the emptiness of words till now.
should I dare to speak from the highest peak
who's to guarantee anyone would listen?
the shadow is my sole companion.
rainbows fade to shades of black and white,
their colors running through the empty streets.
the world around me isn't one I've known.
in turning eighteen
I finally felt alone.