the 'i' behind the mask

what about me? ME?

do you even think of me?

i do not want to be invisible again.

i have feelings, too.

i am human, too.

i can hurt, too.

maybe i just keep it to myself

my cards are guarded

the watchface plain except for a spreading crack

i fear our battery is running low

and i'll have to pause to find the care or might to start again.

how long before you notice that i don't chime anymore?

that i have held my tongue

and it is lonely without the thoughts i spared for you.

without the salty splotches in wrapping paper

or countdowns until special days.

i deserve it all, too, sometimes.

sometimes; more than not at all. more than giving, giving, giving.

i want a thank you

i want a thought

and i want a thoughtful thank you gift for the space i held for myself

how i kept chiming for you and me

because i have feelings, too.

i am human, too.

i can hurt, too.

and i don't want to be invisible again.