I see my heart and soul
Spilled in ink
On these papers
Each corner of my mind
Stripped down and
Standing in spotlights

I wish the world could see and forget
To save me from the scrutiny
And judgement
After my heart has been torn open
And my feeling pried out
Like seeds from a pomegranate

Because each poem is my lifeline
And the thought of watching people
Read my stanzas,
Their prejudiced minds dissecting
Each word,
Is enough to send my heart into a frenzy
And my hands itching to yank my soul
Out from under their glare

So I clutch my lifeline
And even though I see
The drowning people around me,
I refuse to share. 

- Anna Roy