Loneliness

They say loneliness

Is a state of mind

My friends say that the fear

Is gone by day 2

Crouching on the pavement

In Paris

Biking through sleet

Next to historic canals

And bridges in countries

Whose Kings were murdered

Feeling the cobblestones

Underneath my thin polyester soles

Of those shoes I bought for this occasion

Wishing I were not alone

My friend was right

By day 2 I had conquered the continent

And my stupid brain

Who tells me

That I’m not good enough