i held on when all i wanted was to fall

i walk my dog at night
so i don't have to give 
that fake smile
the head nod
that leads to 
a wave at some car
to someone 
i don't care to know

these social norms
that i detest

painted on smiles
that seethe venom
later
in  pretty boxes
known as home

in the dark
mailboxes appear
as shadow people
scraping souls
with jagged knives

trees appear sinister
as they surround my
path
my footsteps are
the only sound

the occasional light
is a painful reminder
of  another day 
gone by

no answers found

the ghosts follow behind me
holding on to my sorrow

i clutch the leash
my dog pulls 

they trip at my heels
their desperate
whispers

remind me of middle school
my hands burning
as i tried to climb
the rope in gym
i held on
when all i wanted 
was to fall