A whisper starts, a tiny seed,…

A whisper starts, a tiny seed,
Of "can't" and "won't," a growing need
To shrink from light, to hide my face,
To feel I don't belong in this place.
Each step I take, a heavy tread,
Imagined judgments fill my head.
The world shines bright, a vibrant hue,
But darkness claims what I pursue.
A mirror held, reflects a flaw,
A constant fear, a silent awe
Of others' ease, their confident stride,
While I, within, begin to hide.
This gnawing guest, this thief of joy,
The doubt that seeks but to destroy.