I am naked

I am naked. I am vulnerable.

I am hurt. I cover it up.

I am hurt again. I cover it up again.

And another. And again. To cover all the hurt.

I am not naked anymore. I am covered. I am hidden.

But

I am still vulnerable. I am unseen. I am suffocating.

Now I can’t breathe.

I remove. And remove. And keep on removing.

Until. I am naked again.

I am naked in my room.

I am naked in my house.

I am naked on the streets.

They stare. They are silent.

I am vulnerable. I am shame. I am too naked.

They stare.

But. They are not silent.

They nod. In understanding.

I am courage.

And they are courage.

They are naked too.

With their vulnerabilities. With their courage.

We are not hidden. We are not shame.

We are naked. And its okay.