The Shell Within

Ally White for Pixabay

If I were a turtle,

I would carry my shell outside,

A safe cave

With room for only me,

A hiding place in times of danger.

But I carry my shell within

To hide all the memories

Too tender to expose.

My shell shields me from pain

And still-remembered danger.

A child lives inside that shell,

An orphan who found safety in hiding.

She slept there,

Silent and secure,

But now she cries out for help.

She says she’s afraid to come out,

I’m afraid to go in.

We could help each other grow strong,

But the shell keeps us apart.

Dare I crack it?

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