I hear the shadows calling my name

In the shadows nothing and no one stands out

In the shadows I do not have to shine and sparkle

In the shadows my clothes don't have to match

my hair doesn't have to be combed

my face doesn't have to be washed

and my teeth don't have to be brushed

In the shadows there is no color

only black and gray

white left a long time ago

couldn't stand how depressing it all seemed

in the shadows

It takes a lot more work to be in the light

In the shadows no one cares who you are

or what you did or did not do

In the shadows I can sleep as much as I want

no on notices if I don't show up

I stand in the middle

light on one side

and the shadows on the other

A heavy sigh releases from my chest

decisions decisions

Unhinging the protective shield
Artists senses thrive
Creativity found in every crevice
Nerve endings raw, exposed
Feel it throb
See it shimmer
Smell it smoldering
Listen to it moan
Sensory overload
suppressed too long
Held it’s breath until bursting point
Now gasps for rich air
naked eyes squint in the luminous light
Create or die