Wounds

Not sure how I arrived At this unfriendly place Used to want the company Now all I crave is space As arrows fly from high and low Now way to dodge them Unerring accuracy guides hands you know Can't yell, raise a hand, or shed a tear Can't let them catch you, Or show any weakness As you gag on the fear Perfect the act, keep up the face A smile beams, blinds them to the wounded place Hold it in, don't let go There are certain scars you must never show If they could see what you really feel How many times in crushing weakness, kneel Grasping a prayer for something You no longer believe is real The fight goes on, reopened wounds bleed Again and again Sustaining a familiar stranger's need Now matter how many times you achingly stand No healing touch or lover's hand Not sure how long this will be my home Protecting what's mine Bruised skin forgiving casted stone Save the grief for later That time remains my own Unseen, unheard, battered Shoulders slump, heart shattered.