why do I feel like I should come
with a caveat–
prone to exhaustion
chronic sadness
and sudden panic
why do I feel the need to tell everyone
and yet am too afraid
to tell anyone
or when I do, to say it
seriously
why am I afraid of being treated too harshly
or pitied, like I’m not enough
when I am my own worst critic
easier to pull the blinds
lock the door
be myself where there’s no one
to judge or comfort