Deep in my gut is a chest of secrets
I thought I had buried
beneath the hushed cries of a young 20-something’s
most regretted decisions…
give-ins, rather.

Those cries choked me until I finally had the sense
to close my eyes and stop breathing for a few seconds.
And these eyes have stayed dry ever since.
When you don’t give yourself the opportunity to feel,
there isn’t much that can tear at your seams…

…Until one day
the purest of phrases
and the most genuine gazes
slowly un-sew the web wrapped neatly around
the cavity I filled with dirt and bubble wrap.

It may only take one more smile
for me to hand over my shovel.

When you hear the metal collide,
I’ll guide you to the key.