Inner turmoil.
     It's so hard to fight against the tide.

Do I smile,
     or frown?
          Speak,
               or blink?
                    Scream,
                         or sigh?
                               Cry,
                                    or cut?

Do I lock myself inside,
     for myself and everyone else's safety?
          Wear a mask as each day passes & more of myself falls victim to the void?

Or do I let myself fly
     free and risk dozens of broken people?
          Open the gates that will flood the world with raw emotion?

Do I trust that anyone
     is capable of sympathy?

Or do I assume that all
     anyone knows is apathy?

Do I follow that instinct
     of self preservation?

Or do I shroud those
     around me in a veil of blissful ignorance?

Is it even possible?
     To save the world &
          let myself drift
               into darkness?

Or will I be saving myself &
     drowning those around me?

It becomes a question of this:
          Me or them?