Safe

This is my space

a place where I can reveal who I am

share my darkest thoughts

express my deepest desires and hopes

and no one can come up to me

and punch me in the gut

yell in my face

or scream at me

because of who I am here

my sanctuary.

i will always be an elusive anonymous shadow

no one knows my identity

but

all that can be changed

by a few wandering glances

a misplaced gaze over my shoulder

and I could be exposed

like a painting put up on display

for people to critique and laugh at

right in front of

Because if it does

I’ll just have to slip back into the shadows

for no one to see

ever again.

-Z