"Walls of Fear'

In the shadows of my soul, a wall is built A fortress to protect, a heart that's been chilled The bricks of past betrayals, the mortar of pain A barrier to intimacy, a shield to maintain The world outside is loud, a cacophony of need A constant reminder to keep my heart in seed I've learned to be alone, to rely on no one's hand For in the silence, I've found a fragile stand But sometimes, in the quiet, a whisper starts to seep A longing for connection, a heart that starts to leap A yearning to be seen, to be heard and to be known A glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, I'll find my way back home Yet, the fear is strong, a sentinel that guards the gate A warning to beware, to keep the heart locked in its cage For what if I let someone in, and they leave me to decay? What if I'm not enough, and they walk away? The wall remains, a testament to past hurts and fears A reminder to be cautious, to wipe away the tears But maybe, just maybe, someday I'll find the strength to face The fear that holds me captive, and take a step into a brand new place.