Shy

SHY

tonight liver and white sauce
glass of cold milk
lily on the table
tomorrow there will be hotdogs
but I will eat chicken

"This will be over soon"
my comfort zone no longer
I cringe before my exposure

in attempts to self medicate
I'm undisguised, motionless
taking in nature's beauty

butterflies all a-flutter in the air
next to the aspen tree – shuddering, shaking
wanting only to be alone

"You can do it. This will be over soon"
I walk past the fence
where everything is easy, pleasant, and warm – for them

ice cold and buttoned up
my knees become weak
my callused-looking hands are misunderstood

a-band-on my soul tightens my lips-
closed, shut, paralyzed

stationary, on the sidelines
I know each corner

the first to leave, I escape
retreating back to my refuge
where I sit at the table
and draw on paper a tiger


2nd Place Winner in "Expressions of Emotions Poetry Contest"