Animal

I spent so long pretending to be human

Learning to walk with my head up and

To speak the words I mean

Without choking on apologies

I'm still learning

I've only just taken off my shoes again

Reacquainting myself with nakedness

Little by little until my heart softens

And my skin grows less raw

There are days at a time I spend in tears

Letting out pain I hoarded Borrowing against happiness just to get by

It is still difficult to reach both arms out wide