Soft

Yes, I am soft

like the flesh 

lying in its curves

over the ribcage

it is what we talked about

when we were walking

that I am

vulnerable 

to being wounded.

Like the Cancer crab

inside the shell she has built

to keep herself safe

I am protected only on the inside 

of all these walls

but they are structurally amazing

with tensile strength

like you wouldn’t 

believe.

That is why

looking out is an act of courage

and speaking more so 

and ripping my heart open 

to let the fiery pomegranate seeds 

spill out 

is nearly unbearable.

No wonder

I feel like all my nerves

have been on fire

and that I lie in the bed

with my eyes open

I am not used 

to this kind 

of self-immolation.