Poem: Why I Share

I learned long ago
How to stand alone.
My identity
My feelings
My strength
Acted as shield.
Slowly
I learned to share
Openly and freely
All of me
Publicly.
I share my darkest secrets
My struggles and my pain.
My anxiety and my depression
My DCD and NVLD
My autism.
I share the times I’m wrong
I share the times I’m right
I share the times I tried
Failed and learned.
I share my strengths
I share my joy
My nerdiness
My love.
“You share too much!”
They say to me.
“Maybe you should try it,”
I think.
“Maybe what we need
Is a little more
Honesty and transparency.”
I do not share
For pity or sympathy
For fame or acclaim.
I know the risks
I know the danger.
I share
To heal.
I share
To teach.
I share
To strengthen.
Most of all
I share
So you all may know
You are not alone.