I cannot help but hurt you
And you will do the same
It is the price of friendship
Let there be no shame
If you get close enough to see
Behind the armored veil I hide
You’ll see the broken parts of me
Once hidden by my pride
I do not want to show I’m weak
Admit I, too, have needs
I want to be the strength you seek
Not have a heart that bleeds
But if I hide behind a wall
Share only what I want of me
You may think I bared it all
It’s just my bright marquee
While you feel seen
And known, connected
I’m stuck in the in-between
My heart feels less affected
I promise that you’re safe with me
Bring all of you; leave nothing out
I want the same, safe guarantee
My wounded heart has doubt
My heart’s true longing: to be known
Deeply, intimately
My fear says once my cover’s blown
You’ll think the worst of me
I’m willing to embrace your pain
Bear witness to your broken state
But ask the same of you? Insane.
It seems there’s no debate
If we’re to bear each other’s weight
I must strip off this veil of pride
And trust you in this tender state
To share what I’ve denied
Shards of me will pierce your heart
I cannot comprehend it
My pain, my wounds, my broken part
With no way to defend it
To venture down this unknown road
The crippling fear increases
My heart wants to explode
Into a million fractured pieces
I want to laugh and joke and play
Enjoy the finer things in life
What is this painful price to pay
That cuts me like a knife
I’ll boldly lay my armor down
Reveal my bleeding heart
If this is courage, let me drown
Exposed, I’m torn apart
True friendship will impact us both
It’s something we must manage
As we journey toward real growth
We’re each other’s collateral damage
If you should be so bold to share
The pain and darkness that’s within
I, too, will bring the strength to bare
My darkness. Let’s begin.
I cannot help but hurt you
I will not sit in shame
I humbly will accept it’s true
I hope you’ll do the same
Love this, friend.