I used to be afraid
to write my words.

Words about loss
and shame
and the naked face
that lay
behind the mask.

But some words
demand
to be spoke.

So I wrote.

It was only
through my act
of self scraping,
heart baring,
soul exposing,
scrutiny
that I found
my truth
and courage
and keys
to be me.

At first I wrote
to uncage myself,
and now I write
to stay free.