Ring of Steel

You have a ring of steel around your heart
but there are forces within you
that are colluding
secretly
covertly
to terrorise you
to disrupt you

shadow feelings
ghostly apparition feelings
armed with the kryptonite
that threatens to weaken your defences

you want to assassinate these feelings
before they get you in the underbelly
leaving you softened and vulnerable

being vulnerable is something you must never show

and you cannot get your hands around
those feelings
to choke the life out of them,
and you cannot muster your strength

being strong is not how you win this war

but all you know is how to be strong
you are concrete, and steel,
fences and razor wire.

yet, the only way you can win this war
is with openness

yet, the only way you can win this war
is with vulnerability

yes, the only way you can win this war

is on bended knee,
with head
leaning in to
hear with humility
the voice of the other
who's voice 
you have sought
for so long to smother

yes, the only way you can win this war
is with love