Guarded

When reactions
Are unexpected

When anger

Is intense
Or denial strong

It only

Makes me wonder
What it is
That’s being
Guarded

What secret

What belief
What thing
Is so sacred
That it can’t
Be revisited

What

Has come
To define us
So deeply
That it is
Off limits
For discussion

What makes us

Walk around
So guarded

Unwilling

To let
Guards down

Unable

To let
Each other in