I can not pretend, Like I'm not wounded. Because I will bleed out If I don't apply pressure, To the wounds of my soul. So I have to stop and address the pain That changed the way I walk, That created triggers along my path, And changed who I am. I can not pretend That I am not still hurt Like pain is easy And I don't have to redress my wounds In order to heal properly. Like I'm not looking at my own blood. I can not pretend To create comfortability To hide my heart Nor lie to myself To sit at a table where I wouldn't eat. I can not pretend Because it is not who I am I relish in being genuine True to who I am And if I'm hurt, I'm hurt I can not pretend