One Does Not Grow Without A Knowing Done Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

I've been made to distrust.
To protect and not cuddle up.
My approach is to first offend,
Then to take notice...
Who understands,
That wall from behind...
I have chosen to defend.

It is not easy to have an identity,
Some may believe...
Is an ego to please.
I've given up proceeding with an ego,
Long ago.
To me an ego shows,
One who hasn't or refuses to grow.

I've been made to distrust.
To protect and not cuddle up.
From experiences I've had...
By those who stripped me of trust.
And today I am not willing,
To do 'that' so fast!

So 'if' I seem distant,
Uncaring and unconcerned.
Know that I've been in the 'heat'...
And staying away from being burned,
Is a lesson I have learned.
One does not grow without a knowing,
Done of what one learns not to do!