Dear Insecurity,

You tricky, and intimidating thing,

It’s time I told you of the pain you have caused me.

The sleepless nights I lay awake

as the clock ticks on,

Its hands circling round and round

like the vortex of my mind.

I close my eyes and see you.

Your face is distorted

like rippling waters

or broken glass,

and when I focus hard enough

I see myself in you.

You are my phantom.

I try and hide from you,

with your brooding looks

and devilish smirk,

but there is no escape.

You bury yourself deep within me:

In the caverns of my chest,

the strands of my mind,

and in the very essence of my being.

Insecurity.

You corrupt my thoughts.

What starts as a small, contained flame

erupts into a wildfire,

destroying me

from the inside out,

until i’m left

a pile of ash.