scared

scared to let anyone in
scared to be hurt again
time inches forward
creeping along
silent, ever watchful
waiting for the chance
to live again
to love again
but i'm too scared of the pain
too scared
too scared
too scared
too scared to take the risk of being vulnerable

each time i allow myself to be vulnerable, a little piece of me is chiseled away
til i feel like i'm left with nothing
afraid of what will become of me if more is taken away...
afraid of living
afraid of dying
so i do nothing instead