To reveal my heart
Is to invite infection
Another layer
To stymy the flow of blood
Another truncated smile
*
Delivered with grace
Despite an abiding nausea
I retract my claws
And shroud my spirit within
The flesh can act unaided
*
Hope is salt water,
A necessary anguish
That can, if misused,
Result in fatality
Survival is tantamount
mindlovemisery 
to reveal the heart is def to invite infection…its a risk to open up
and while salt water may cleanse it…its goona sting…
that last stanza is great….
Thanks so much Brian!
“To reveal my heart/Is to invite infection”
Wow! A line like that is my weakness. I love such. They are odd, unique, outstanding.
Thank you Peter!