Shell Poem by Leigh Ladd

My shell, it guards me and keeps me safe.
Well hidden and alone with myself,
No one can touch me.
Few have come along,
They reach in and take my hand,
And gently guide me out.
The feelings, they exhume me.
Care, comfort, laughter and life.
'Tell me all' they say to me,
'Open, be free and I will protect you.'
Slowly I succumb,
Let out what I have kept inside.
Little by little my fear wanes,
The strength of trust builds,
Leading me into a new light.
I turn around and see that my shell is destroyed,
Finally I let myself be free.
The more free I become,
The more thoughts and feelings I let known.
Graudually they begin to wonder what they have done.
The connection becomes rampant,
They know too much,
More than they want.
Their thoughts and feelings confused,
Even though I remain steady.
Bit by bit they begin to escape.
Knowing that feeling I arise with a charge,
I start anew,
Day by day, building my shell.
I wonder the whole time,
Just how did they find me,
Alone in my shell?
Was there a crack,
Is that how they got in?
I'll make it stronger than the times before.
Never again will anyone pierce my shell.