For those who might not be aware, the month of April is NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writing Month). It’s also GloPoWriMo – Global Poetry Writing Month. Kind of cool to think writers all over the world are stepping up their poetry-writing game in order to pen 30 poems in 30 days. Of course, I’m running behind and on the 6th of April I’ve only written four poems. Oh, well, better four than none, right?

Today’s poem was inspired by Jane Dougherty’s poem “Hush” (which you can read here) which was inspired by the NaPoWriMo daily prompt. The prompt suggests breaking out of our comfort zones in terms of line breaks, but Jane’s poem asks the question, “Is there such thing as a comfort zone?”

I do have a comfort zone. In terms of physical space, my comfort zone is inside my house. When I venture out I prefer to visit places I’ve been before, places that are close to my home, and most importantly, places that aren’t crowded or noisy. (Except for work. I might not feel entirely comfortable there, but they pay me, so that helps.) People with anxiety will probably be able to relate to this poem I wrote.

My Comfort Zone

I can’t go out today. I’m locked
away. In my mind, I’m confined.
A prison of my own design.
Within these walls I’m safe, for now.
One day I’ll leave this space, somehow.

Street crumbles as my feet take flight
In fright, I flee impending doom
While overhead, the dark trees loom
They watch, they stare. Demonic eyes.
And no one hears my screaming cries

Door closes, shutting out the fear.
I’m safe at last, within my home
where I can hide. My comfort zone
the place I lock the pain away.
That’s why I won’t go out today.