The path I’ve taken is much less traveled,

I didn’t choose the path I took,

For my journey was far from easy.

But the more I think and the harder I look,

The better I see how my life was unraveled.

When looking at a picture close up to your face,

You can only see the small details that seem so essential.

When you take a step back to enjoy the beauty,

Is when you can finally see the picture’s true potential.

For this is how I came to reflect with grace.

Hard work and determination is key,

Especially when fighting an uphill battle.

To understand what it takes to thrive,

My life had to be in a bit of a rattle.

It was then that I found what was inside of me.

Throughout illness, injury, many family problems,

I had to remain strong for my family.

I put on a mask of courage and strength,

So all my family could look to me,

To see everything didn’t need to be so solemn.

After the fires dimmed and the battle was over,

The necessity for my mask slowly diminished.

But that mask I put on was not temporary.

The need for my mask was finished,

But now it served as an emotional cover.

Hard on the outside, but inside I’m soft,

Mushy and gushy from head to toe.

The softness of my feelings was no longer visible.

And what was on the inside, no one could know,

For the old Nick Zelinsky had been lost.

On the outside, I appear hard as a rock.

No visible cracks can be seen in my wall of protection.

The purpose of which is not because I’m scared,

But to avoid any deeper inspection,

And keep people from knowing what’s behind my emotional lock.

I’m mushy and gushy, and I really do care.

Don’t let my appearance convince you otherwise.

My closest friends may know this, but it’s exclusive to them.

After writing this poem, it comes as a surprise,

That it might be time to give me with no filter a little bit of air.