• Outside is dreary weather and a vast grey sky,
    Inside the warm glow of incandescent light,
    I clutch my soft blanket draped on my lap,
    The faces of adorable plush animals stare at me,
    The feelings evoked being in the home,
    Safety, comfort and warmth,

    Outside a cacophony of noise
    Children screaming, horns sounding,
    Birds screeching, bells ringing,
    People fighting, dogs barking,
    In shops, an assault on the senses,
    Teal, crimson, blinding yellow,
    All colours mixed together,
    An orgy of mismatched sensations,

    Sitting in my room the scent of lavender,
    Warmth of my cat on my lap,
    Familiar sights and familiar sounds,
    Heart rate relaxed and stable,
    Calm as the ocean in mild weather,
    Nothing can harm me,
    Nothing I don't let in myself,

    Try as I might to brave the world outside,
    It never works no matter how hard I try,
    The world outside is terrifying,
    An insufferable chaos,
    My home is safe and peaceful,
    I am happy here and shall not leave.