In the confines of my own solitude
I find escape in the comfort of my room
And retreat to my temple of rest
A space of isolation I've cultivated for so long
where peace and silence can finally settle

lush flora enwrap my walls and dull the sounds outside
when noise becomes too much to bear
and yet, something festers in my sanctuary
in my space of comfort, hatred and shame surface
a manifestation of my own pain and sorrow

I curse the decaying pile of leaves
For the chained monster it has drawn out
The monster undeserving of kindness
The monster who would do anything to be alone
And the monster who would do anything to be seen

Fragments of me flutter within the temple I fostered
One part of me sees potential to grow and change
Another clings to an unresolved sadness I can't let go
All alone, I'm left with a choice: to revisit this monster
or forget I was ever him