I have shut the world out,

It is not the first time

I have resorted to this

but it only stems from not wanting

to be in the way;

from wanting to leave

the world in peace

without it worrying

about me.

Safe

here in my hole, the King

of the darkness I survey,

here I am protected from my own

toxic trust, innocent

in my rusted pleasure;

here I sit dependable

for there is nobody to tell

me otherwise.

Ian D. Hall 2016