Bare Truth Poem by Brittany Brown

Vulnerability, the truth that hides, behind walls, built by one's own insecurities
Scarred from a past, that lingers in the shadow, only to show in your weakest moments
Trust, once broken, only patched to mend, but never does it fully mend
As thoughts, cycle to every detail missed, while hope pleases deceivingly
I feel naked, as my emotions and insecurities, flow heavily in downpour to escape
Vulnerability, brings fear, like none other
As I finally, allow myself to become known
As I stand, naked to the world, as they watch
Judging, prying, insulting, complementing
Critiquing me inch by inch
Tears pour, as I've lost control, guarding what little is left of me
My skin picked apart by the eyes, that envy me
I'm now vulnerable, potential victim to the world
Scared, confused, yet hopeful
To hide, to guard, drains me as I live to escape the eyes of the world
But now, at this moment
I don't want to escape, I want to be freed from the fear of being me
Of being seen as weak, as every part of me, exposed not guarded
I'm no longer the victim, guarding my true self, from the world
I stand vulnerable, with strength that can move mountains
As my true self, exposed because I know, I matter