SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

I cannot let myself be
Vulnerable to the gazes of others,
But there's a part of me
Who yearns to call you friend
Who wants some compassion.

Maybe I could hold out my hand,
But each time I did in the past,
All I ever got was a slap on the wrist.

I know you can be my confidante,
But the way I feel at times,
Am I just an afterthought to you
Just included because you feel obligated?

I stand in a state of suspended animation.
I'm not really there.
I'm placed in solitary, confined to my inner child

I'm turned out.
Washed out.
Left out.
Crying my
Heart out.
Wrung out
Inside out.

Do I mean anything
To anybody?

(11-1998)
(rev. 2-22-2002)