Roll Up Your Sleeves Poem by Jayne Doe

You've a heart on your sleeve
And it's better than me
Whose heart is hidden beneath one
For your feelings do show
And it's beautifully so
That the world is welcome to know you
Some think it weak
Too quickly they speak
For I can't think of anyone stronger
Than the one so exposed
Who continues to grow
Despite pointing fingers of laughter
And it's silly, you see
For people like me
With hidden hearts to hide
To think any less
Of those who do best
With their hearts open so wide
For your real to the senses
Sincerity's endless
Living honestly as you do
While others are focused
On hocus and pocus
Pretending all that they can
That they're strong and controlled
As if there's no toll
For being hidden away for so long
Perhaps they think it safer
Than perceived dangers
Of being known to those around
But it brings fear of exposure
To which there is no closure
‘til one's ready to be seen
I admit that I am prone
and sometimes condone
These hidden ways of living
For I am scared of the jests
Of those who know best
What's hidden deep inside
Yet I cannot help admire
The passion and the fire
That burns when one is honest
As I see in the likes of you
I wish that I too
Could wear my heart upon my sleeve
But it would be a lie
For me to try
To pretend you do not scare me
For the realness of you
Reminds me too
Of what it is I'm hiding
But I thank you, dear friend
For it's not pretend
That I do not hide from you
For when you are here
I know it's with care
That you help me push up my sleeve
And you pull right out
Removing all doubt
That heart I've been hiding so long
Say it's worthy of being
And worth others seeing
As softly it's placed on my sleeve

You've a heart on your sleeve
And it's beautiful to me
How it reaches those hidden beneath one.