Quote: “My toxic trait is I don’t speak up, I notice, I feel, I distant, I stop caring. Is what I wish I was capable of doing again”

My toxic trait, I know it well,
It’s one I’ve held since time can tell,
To keep my thoughts and feelings close,
And keep myself from getting close.

I used to speak up, let it out,
But found it only caused more doubt,
And so I learned to keep it in,
And keep my heart from feeling thin.

I notice things, but hold them back,
To keep myself from going off track,
And if it seems like I don’t care,
It’s only my defense I bear.

I keep myself at arm’s length now,
A safety net I can allow,
To keep my heart from being hurt,
And stay in solitude, inert.

So though it may be toxic, true,
I wish to stay this way anew,
And keep myself from being hurt,
By keeping others from my turf.

For in this way, I feel I’m safe,
And can survive this life, this race,
And though it may not seem like much,
It keeps me from the world’s cold touch.