without you

at times
you are the hard boiled
soul,

the shell
of you protecting,
defending

trying not crack under
the hands
of others.

writing with a poison
pen.
retaliation, revenge,

but deep inside there
is softness.

a kind heart. a gentle spirit
wishing

no harm no hurt upon
others

despite all they've done.
their sickness

belongs to them.
let them alone with it.

let them carry their burden,
their illness
of mind
without you

piling on.