Emotion Poem by Mal Sharp

I always bottle my emotions inside,
Trying to keep it all together, I ride,
To protect you all from the chaos, I tried,
'I'm okay, ' I repeat mantra-like, I lied,
Battling against the constant ebb of tide,
I lock them away in their box and I hide.

But every now and again they burst out free,
Somehow unlocked with an invisible key,
I can't control them, they do not hear my plea,
And once they are released, they won't let me be,
Now I only hope you'll all forgive me,
For what I'll say about the things I do see.

I don't want to hurt you, that's not my intent,
I needed one moment to finally vent,
My anger transformed it, that's not what I meant,
I didn't realise your feelings I'd dent,
I'm sorry, I didn't want this, I repent,
And now at long last my emotions are spent.