would get through - not even a

former shell of myself; did it

because I was getting sick

and tired of letting my guard

down . . .

Seemed that whenever I was

being me (*Note - didn't have

to go out of my way), it all

came naturally - like ice to the

Titanic, or a whetstone to Ms.

Borden . . .

Passerbys would either comment

or stare - "Oh, would you look at

that palisade!" And I'd say, this

ain't no amusement park!" (A

show of hands for all that got that

one) . . .

In botany, it would be called a

parenchyma - probably because

I was doing my best to camouflage

myself, but unlike like a fall leaf - was

heard but not seen; I had lots to

say . . .

But getting back to letting my guard

down - I had been pounded on so

many times, I was no longer thick-

skinned; more like being skinned

and hung out in broad daylight to

dry . . .

Until I get the intestinal fortitude

to get rid of this barrier, will just have

to carry it around a while; so please

(there I go again dammit) excuse me

if you can't see the grimace on my

face . . .

'2008' RLS