how does one live
knowing there is nothing they can say
to scare away pain
their words are weak and brittle
yet they say them all the same

Afraid to love.
Anxious to miss.
Scared to hurt.
Terrified to feel.

I have built walls around my heart.
Wore an armor of steel.
Held a sword on my hands.
Protected myself with a shield.

I turn away.
Pull back.
Push through.
Set my guard up.

Afraid to be love.
Anxious not to be miss.
Scared to be hurt.
Terrified to be feel.

--The line torturing
its always held me back
staring, mocking, my resolve
it nips my foot
a friendly reminder;
it tells me theirs nothing
on the other side
yet, something scratches
my throat to voice what
everyone hated me for
Was it an opinion?--