My Heart

Is often misunderstood

People see what they want to see

They take my reactions to painful memories

And twist them

To fit what they think

The saddest thing is

In so doing they

Abuse me all over again

You see for me

Touch

Is something foreign

Bringing painful memories and fear

You sit there in safety

Judging my reactions

Never once have you been in my shoes

Vain pronouncements are spoken

“just get over it”

or

“Move on with your life”

In my heart I yearn for love

For the things

That you take for granted

The simple act of embracing

You do without a thought

For me is done only conquering fear

My body has to be told relax

He won’t hurt you

And even then

The tension is still there

Just under the surface

Joseph Men

November 5, 2002

© 2002, Joseph Men