Vulnerable
by Sam M. Phillips

Diary made public,
Why would I seek to publish
This personal rubbish?
I’m sure I punish
Myself enough as it is without
Letting these secrets out.

I’m sure they’ll be used
Against me,
Perused
To accuse me,
Be a reason to refuse me
Entry to certain circles.

This portrayal
Is making me vulnerable,
I’m not able
To control its reception,
People’s perception
Of it will be their own,
I know I do not own
Their minds and judgements.

All I can do
Is my best
To be honest,
I cannot arrest
My pen hand,
Our lives are sand
Through an hourglass,
I want my experience to last,
Is it too much to ask
To have my work read?
To conjure images in the head
Of a stranger in the future?

***

My debut short story collection is coming July 1st

INFINITY AND I: Seventy Science Fiction Short Stories

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