Shall I?

30 Aug 2000

Shall I tear these walls
bleeding hands, ragged fingernails
down
brick by brick
when all my heart has been invested 
in building them strong?
Shall I say that sweet innocence 
and the resulting pain
are worth the joy that might come
from allowing gentleness inherent 
sway over this acerbic mien?
Am I strong enough
to allow vulnerability?
Shall I fasten hope in its blindness
to lead me to my future,
and allow joy control over this life?
If I show this bruiséd heart
shattered and torn
will you see the ways
to taking advantage?
Or, do I invest my heart in faith
and believe that my walls hinder
rather than protect?
shall I wreck havoc on this life
and fight the bold aggression
that hides the shivering dreamer
cloaked in brutal truth?



© 2000, Tara Tambolleo