I sailed into their cyclone of sighs
hands open, bearing sanctuary.
A calm ship in storm-swollen seas.

They shrank at the hush
where chaos once held court,
My heartbeat a metronome
against their frenzied drum.

They feasted on dysfunction-
a banquet of broken mirrors,
shards of blame shining bright.

So peace became poison
coursing through their veins,
truth dripping slow from
an unoffered chalice.

They flinched at loyalty,
for comfort blooms in discord
and growth is the enemy
of their familiar collapse.

I gather my light on silent feet,
step back from their wreckage-
Keep your mess.
I'll keep my peace.