Bare

When your breath catches
Because I noticed
I am bare

When I see something in your eyes
No one else can
I am bare

When life crushes and threatens
And I know how to hold you
I am bare

When you are strong and bold
I see your hidden frailty
I am bare

When you hold yourself back
I know your fears
I am bare

---

When I am bare
I sense and grow from your love
I transcend

When I am bare
I keep no protection for myself
I can be cut

When I am bare
I have opened myself to one
I can bleed

When I am bare
I feel your destructive anger
I can scar

When I am bare
I recoil from cold sarcasm
I can callous


Ken Goree