The People Who Know Me Best

They say that I have a hard face

And that

I am guarded

They say that I am rough around the edges

They say I have opinions

And that I am a little different

They tell me that I am difficult

And that my eyes look mean at first

But

Underneath all of that

They say

I am a nice guy

That I really care

That I have good intentions

And that I always have a reason for what I do

And these are

My best friends

The people who know me the best

I want to tell them that lately

I’ve gotten better

That I am not as guarded

As I used to be

And that I am not as rough

As I was

That I’ve learned how to be more

Vulnerable

And loving

I want to tell them that writing down my life has changed it

But

I don’t

And I accept their backhanded compliments with a smile.

CH 12/10/23