Iron Maiden

Be gentle
With yourself.

Be kind
To yourself.

Treat yourself
How others
Should treat you.

I find these to be
Unattainable things.
Empty words.
Pie in the sky.
Clichés.

Even if true,
They bounce off.
Deflected by the armour
I have enclosed myself within.

This armour is
Cold,
Smooth,
And protective
On the outside.
Impenetrable.
Untouched.

But not inside.

Inside,
I am at the mercy
Of the spikes
And murderous blades
Of my own mind.

The armour
Keeps everything out.

But it keeps me
In.