Don’t reveal I’m soft inside
Make them believe I’m hard and dry
If I don’t venture to show myself.
They will believe I’m something else.

I spent this life creating this
These walls protect my brittle bliss.
These walls erect my writers’ blocks.
Zero keys.
One thousand locks.

Putting stock in lying eyes
Penetrates my one disguise.

I whisper this to you because
Solitude became my drug.
Condescension caused us friction
Safe and sound is my addiction.
Me and them,
They and I?
Need boundaries to identify.

Let their opinion be their own,
And miles between us be my throne.