To Be All That I Can Be

I have held a fear deep in my heart
that I'd always be
misperceived from the start.
I have worried
that if all people see are my flaws
and not their root cause
they shall deem me unworthy
of love and compassion.
And so I tend to over-explain
hoping they gain just an inkling
of the scope of my pain.

I fear others shall see me as weak,
prone to falling apart,
if I don't choose to impart
just a piece
of my broken heart.
I want others to know,
just a little,
of what goes on in my mind
day in and day out,
so they can begin to perceive
my courage and strength
more than my
idiosyncrasies.

Yes, I have flaws,
but I assure you,
I'm not a lost cause.
Just give me a chance
to heal and to grow.
Just give me a chance
to be all that I can be.