Particular Moments

Sick

To death

Of my nonchalant

Toughness;

Of concealing

What hurts

With a shrug,

Saying “there’s more where I come from,”

Shoving the shouts

And tears

Into back pockets

Until they are bulging

At the seams.

Emptiness is eating away

The best of yours truly;

Someone please

Spare your

Tenderness—

Bring me back to life

With your calming

Touch and Kindness.