Alone among company am I,
A solitary island in a vast, black ocean.*
How can one be among loved ones*
Yet feel so alone and detached from humanity?
It is an existence chosen for me long ago,
by Life's cruelty and harsh realities.
Things that no child should have to endure.*
I thought I'd conquered my demons.
Buried them to rot in the hell of my memories,
But I was wrong. *
They have returned with new life and vigor to leave me feeling helpless and vulnerable.