10. trust

i’ve watched

my world crumble,

the pain increased,

i’ve seen the lack

of empathy

in many that i meet,

saw idols turn to rivals,

looked down on those

that stood taller,

peaked behind the curtain

and saw the evil,

now i’m rejecting love,

i’ve let my heart grow cold,

allowed my trust

to dissipate

as i navigate

to avoid the snakes.

22, and i already feel

like i’ve had enough,

put through the wringer

and i still feel soaked,

had to save myself

from the stress

of society

and try to find

my own happiness,

even as i’ve turned

and embraced the cynic

that’s been living in me

since i had to fake

all those smiles.

but i’m learning how

to trust my mental,

it’s not the best

but it’s what i’ve got,

pieced together

and stitched with flaws,

mistakes will be made,

but we work to fix them,

i’ll be with me

from here on out,

no matter how tough,

who comes and who goes,

i’ll always have me,

a constant work in progress,

but a content soldier

with a point to prove

and a mark to be left.

so let’s do it.