I saw your bandages.
I didn’t inquire.
I didn’t need to.
I recognized your secret.
It looked like mine.
The door was ajar.
I peeked in your closet.
I saw your skeletons,
And I knew them all.
They looked like mine.
I remained reticent.
Not even you knew
What I observed.
I protected your secret
Like I did mine.
Now I wonder,
If I had unlocked
My Pandora’s Box for you,
Could I have rewritten your story
Like someone did mine?
Carrie Mayhem 
So wonderful. I love the use of repetition at the end of each stanza. And you kept the secret hidden so everyone can relate. Another awesome post!
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Thank you ~ you always have such generous feedback. I certainly appreciate it! 🙂
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You’re welcome. You always have good words 🙂
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This is beautiful, Carrie. So beautiful. I love it, a lot!
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Thank you for the kind words. These ones are the toughest to share.
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You’re welcome. And, I understand. Deeply. That is why I enjoy this so much. I read myself in it.
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I am always amazed by the response I get to the most deeply personal posts. If I’m filled with doubt when I push Publish, I always find wonderful support to wash that doubt away.
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Reblogged this on pagesbrain and commented:
Powerful… moving… be there…
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brilliant poem – they also say ” The greatest day in your life is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up. I am touched by your poem!!
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I am honored that my words touched you. I don’t hear the word “brilliant” every day. Thank you very much!!
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YOU deserve it sister!!!
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This hits home for me, all of it, though especially the end — as I ignored a secret that didn’t allow someone’s story to be rewritten as mine was fortunate enough to be. I really enjoyed this, beautifully written and something I can very much relate to. ❤ Kimberly
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Wow, I’m sorry that you and I have this in common, but at the same time am grateful that you can relate so personally to it. It has been 20 years and I still remember clearly the moment I decided to look the other way. I didn’t know him well (though better, I suspect, than he knew me). I didn’t want to embarrass him by acknowledging it. I didn’t want to embarrass myself for recognizing it. I wish young me knew then what wise me does now. Thank you for sharing your comment. 🙂
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“I didn’t know him well (though better, I suspect, than he knew me). I didn’t want to embarrass him by acknowledging it. I didn’t want to embarrass myself for recognizing it.” —- oh how in common the stories are. I suppose time nor age can remove these scenarios from our lives – though yes, wise “us” knows better now. 🙂
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