the fear of letting someone in
cascade all your vulnerabilities as a showcase
a display
and i would tear
scoop my knees to my chest
drop my head and hide my face
i couldn’t show the truth,
i was told not to be myself
the poison, the toxic, that withered allure away
who would adore me
if i’m not the hero in the play?

© jacob greb — from lovers’ tiff: a ballad