ask this of me
- theonlyscheirerfranklin
- May 26
- 2 min read
ask me to be strong
to shield you
from the terror of this world
or the terrors of your mind
from the harsh realities
that we live inside of
every day
ask me to shelter you
to protect you
accept you
to guide you
or absolve you
this, I can do.
ask me to step into battle
against every single one
of your fiercest
and most terrifying demons
and then ask me to stay
when I've seen the darkness
that lives within you
that makes you wonder
if you’re worthy
of the love you see
in another’s eyes
ask me to do this
because this, I can do
this, I can give you
ask me to carry you
when life
has knocked you down
when you’re beaten and trampled
and you don’t think
you can take
another step
ask me to bear the burdens
you’ve shouldered alone
your entire life
because you are tired
and in need of rest
I am small, but I am strong
and I can carry
whatever you place
on my back
ask me to do this
because this, I can do
this, I can give you
but please
please don’t ever ask me
to open myself fully
to show you
what lives behind
the cracks in my heart
the rips that I've stitched
and mended and sewn
over and over
until my fingertips
were raw with pin pricks
and my needles were broken
from overuse
I cannot undo
even a single stitch
without my entire being
falling to pieces
and though you may tell me
you’re strong enough
that you won’t fear what you find
that you will hold me
when the fear that I’ve wrestled
and conquered and caged
finally escapes -
though you may tell me
that you’ve carried much worse
and though
you may really believe
that it’s true -
what you can’t tell me
is that you’ll stay
because people like me
don’t have people;
we are the people
who others have.
we are too consumed
with holding others
through their darkest nights
and storms of pain
that no one ever thinks
to look back at us
once they’re healed
and walking
away.
people like me
don’t have people.
we are the people
others have -
the people who learn
to live
without.
so please
don't ask me
to show you my heart
unless you have what it takes
to love
a heart
like mine.
