i am open about my vulnerability
in conversation
in theory
but in practice?

perhaps not so easily

i don’t process stress
anger
disappointment
negativity

perhaps i should rephrase
i process by swallowing
devouring
storing away for later

moments that twist
anxiety spirals
overwhelm
threatening to leave me lost
tossed and thrown by battering waves
untethered
unanchored

i am reminded
how comforting to have a touchpoint
a tether
an anchor

someone who i can be
open vulnerable
safe
with
someone who sees past the mask of ink
the asocial tendencies
into the heart
of me