It is no burden
To seek comfort from another
At least not to me
I’ve felt the sting of abandonment too
From others I trusted
Others who had promised
Stubbornly stating they’d always be there
So I do understand

I like my hiding spots too
They’re the first spots I find
When I’m suddenly lost
In new territory
You see, I grew up making friends
In caves and crevices
Where the vast open desert
Leaves your soul feeling
Exposed
The elements are harsh
They take prisoners daily
I had no forests to find sanctuary
No ferns to crouch by
Only sage and low grass

So I learned to make peace with the
Harshness around me
I made pacts with the sun
I learned the snakes’ habits
Side-stepped the scorpion’s sting
As I learned to cling to the hope
Of finding one day
Amidst life’s unfair game
Of hide and seek
Another who knew
How to carve hope in odd places
Just like me