I had a metal plate

placed over my heart for a very long time.

My center sealed, hidden, protected.

The energy required to manifest

A collar to keep myself safe,

was exhausting.

And yet I felt myself harden.

The iron smith of my soul

fashioned armor

to wear into the battle of daily life.

Until the weight of deprivation

created a greater burden

than the fear of being…

what?

It was simply the fear of being.

So I endeavored

to remove my armor,

to take off the collar

and expose my heart center

to the rushing wind

and raging flame.

Being open, being free

Being.