Being trapped by your own mind is a difficult thing to both deal with and articulate but you do it rather well i think, better than you give yourself credit for.

Social anxiety is on the rise according to medicos in the know. As we are more and more comfortable socializing behind the safe and private online world, "getting out" seems to be getting harder for many. And if these tendencies are already in force in one's life, it can be extra tough. Still I would offer that we can’t even start to know what we may find on the envelope of serendipity unless we chance it. Thanks.

I'm often caught off guard by encounters with others, and even better, poems such as this, in how they teach me that no matter how bad things may seem, there's always someone else in a worse situation. Worthy piece of writing in how it reaches out in support to those who may be similarly affected, and provides some degree of therapy for you the author.

'a loner who is scared to be alone'...i know this one

Fascinating to read about the prison you feel you have created. S3 is my fav.

...a gutsy write, so real. so, so. i am afraid someone might recognize me in your words...out anima, our yin to our yang, our doppleganger, our proof that we do exist in Shakespeare's sound and fury...neil diamond's I AM I SAID...brrrrr cold but good write.

Thanks for the honesty and the honor of allowing me to step into the darkness we all have - each a different shade or color perhaps. I affirm you for writing. For me, often, it is writing it down that puts that first crack in the vessel that lets the light some in. Blessings and peace. Thanks again.

"a prisioner of my own design" simpe but brilliant. And the rest are simply brilliant. Great write!

I ADORE this. I was a prisioner from 18-24, 6 years. It beautifully sums it up. Thank you.

This is heartbreaking and beautiful.

Good to see this as POTD,Joan!

beautifully honest writing xx