Writing

A Poem for Our Times: Curled Up

Posted by lenleatherwood on September 10, 2020

Curled Up

I feel disconnected

Far away

Closed down

Remote

Protective of my inner self

Untrusting of the outside world

Shocked by the cruelty I see

The rudeness

The lack of respect

The anger

The lies

I want to be trusting

Open

Willing to share

Unafraid

Open-armed

But I am not

Not now

Not when life feels this unsure

Physically

Emotionally

Politically

I wait

Curled up

With watchful eyes

And listening ears

Wait for a sign

That it is safe

To come out again

And live

Published by lenleatherwood

I am a native Texan who has lived for the past 30 years in Southern California. I am a published author of both short memoir and fiction, a two-time Pushcart nominee, a nationally award-winning writing coach, an editor, as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. In addition, I am the mother of three grown daughters of whom I am extremely proud, a grandmother of four darling children and the wife of a man I still love after 44 years. View all posts by lenleatherwood