Held, Not Hidden

it’s not a wallit’s the shape of staying not a door closingbut a way of choosingwhat gets to come inand what doesn’t it’s the pausebefore I say yesbecause I want to—not because I’m afraidof what happens if I don’t it’s menot shrinkingnot twistingnot performingjustmeno longer leaving myselfto stay close to someone elsejust less willingto go missingin the name of connection it’s how I protect the part of mestill softstill learningstill healingfrom the timesI didn’t know I could ask for more it’s how my shoulders stop bracinghow I stop scanning the roombefore I speak and I love youfrom hereit’s not a wallit’s the way back to myself If it stirred something, stay a while. I write about love, presence, and becoming. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.brittleviews.com