Barrier

I used to venture in the world,
my heart exposed to those around.
Emotionally naked, I was seen by all.
I carried on with dignity to clothe me.
My life was an open book,
ready for those who cared to read.
Before the pages were torn,
I was openly free to be me.
Before long, they burnt my book.
Their flames of judgment consumed it.
They lashed me with their lies,
the ice cold pain freezing my heart.
The glares inflicted pain,
as their serpentine tongues spit poison.
Their acidic control burned through my soul.
After one scar too many, I fled.
With only my tattered dignity covering me, 
I walked the lone desolate path.
My sore feet tread on the ash that was my inner fire.
That flame had been smothered out long ago.
I found an abandoned place,
a hollowed niche void of others.
There I began reparations.
I built my barrier piece by piece.
Each stone for every wound inflicted.
When finished, the bitter cold beat against it.
Today I still sit behind my barrier, 
waiting for my heart to thaw.

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