Egg On My Face

I wear my heart without a shield,

No armor, mask,

or sly disguise

I let my every secret yield

To those I trust with hopeful eyes.

I pour my feelings,

raw and true,

Like water flowing from a spring,

I tell my stories,

old and new,

And hope my honesty will bring

A gentle word, a knowing nod,

A hand to hold me through the storm

But silence answers,

cold and odd,

And leaves me wishing I’d stayed warm.

Too many times I’ve bared my soul

To friends who turn their gaze away,

I play the honest,

open role,

Yet find myself alone,

dismayed.

The laughter stings,

the glances slide,

Embarrassment upon my skin

I wish I’d kept my thoughts inside,

Not let the world come rushing in.

Egg on my face,

the saying goes,

A blush that lingers,

slow to fade

Regret is something no one knows

Except the one who’s been betrayed.

Still,

every time I try again,

I hope for kindness,

hope for grace

But sometimes trust just leaves a stain,

And leaves me standing out of place.

Yet even so,

I can’t pretend,

Or lock my feelings deep away

For every wound will one day mend,

And honest hearts will find their way.

So let me wear my awkward truth,

And let the world see all I am

For in the end,

the greatest proof

Of courage is to give a damn.

One day,

I’ll find a kindred soul

Who’ll meet my gaze and understand

Who’ll see the beauty in the whole

Of hearts poured out with open hands.

Until that day,

I’ll risk the shame,

I’ll speak my truth,

I’ll take my place

For even if I bear the blame,

I’d rather live with egg on my face

Than never dare to share my heart,

Or hide behind a practiced lie

I’ll play my honest,

hopeful part,

And let my spirit learn to fly.