I spend my life

Pushing people away

And wondering why they can't see

How much I love them

How much I need them

The ones who held my hand

And talked me down

But their pity

Their worry

Becomes my burden

It is a chink

In vital armor

Inviting crippling hope

Hope so kind

I cannot bear it

Hope so gentle

It sears my heart

So I seal the chink

Build my fortress

And bring my weapons to bear

Against my allies