I wish I had a thicker skin
Like a turtle shell that I can hide within
I have my brick walls, and they go up with ease
But I always take them down,
give a chance to someone,
gazing through the cracks in the mortar.
I leave the door ajar, or leave a key under the mat,
Hoping that someone will come for me.
Of course, when they don’t, and the walls close in
It gets cold and I’m in the shadows,
waiting again.
I feel it’s my fault,
that I’m just The Hunchback of Norte Dame,
Too ugly to be looked upon
Too ugly to be loved.
And everytime I take a chance,
It only weakens me more,
Throwing myself into a spiral,
running to shut the door.
Deadbolt it,
lock it,
and sinking to the floor.
When you hear the wailing in the night;
before the new moon falls,
It’s only this hunchback's cries and screams,
behind my brick walls.

06/01/2003

Posted on 06/01/2003
Copyright © 2024 Jennifer L Banks