Inside Out

A vortex of thoughts
spin my mind into a mess
and twist my insides up
A whirling state of distress.

Has my skin grown thinner
No protection from foes
Each shot makes it mark
filling me with holes.

Maybe I’m so consumed
by my own little world
Every word spoken
seems directly at me hurled.

Have I decided
to no longer duck and dodge
Allowing any far flung arrow
to in deep lodge.

I used to find it easier
to clearly define
what’s your stuff
and what is mine.

But as I unearth
who I really am
I feel inside out
And often rammed.

Life on the surface
is a smoother ride
Than the inner terrain
where nothing easy glides.

An unstoppable Force, though
Draws my spirit out
To emerge from my ruins
with a victorious shout!