I keep my paint brush with me
Wherever I may go,
In case I need to cover up
So the real me doesn't show.
I'm so afraid to show you me,
Afraid of what you'll do - that
You might laugh or say mean things.
I'm afraid I might lose you.<p>I'd like to remove all my paint coats
To show you the real, true me,
But I want you to try and understand,
I need you to accept what you see.
So if you'll be patient and close your eyes,
I'll strip off all my coats real slow.
Please understand how much it hurts
To let the real me show.<p>Now my coats are all stripped off.
I feel naked, bare and cold,
And if you still love me with all that you see,
You are my friend, pure as gold.
I need to save my paint brush, though,
And hold it in my hand,
I want to keep it handy
In case someone doesn't understand.
So please protect me, my dear friend
And thanks for loving me true,
But please let me keep my paint brush with me
Until I love me, too.<p>
By Bettie B. Youngs

that was the mostbeautiful poem i've read! it fits me well!

Thank you for this poem...it is so true. <p>Isn't it what leads us into trouble in the first place? Doubting our worthiness to be accepted as who we really are?<p>The world needs us to be "plastic" and "painted" so we "fit in" while individuals lose their soul screaming Please God, just let me be...why isn't that enough?<p>We need the paintbrush to feel in control...but what true beauty we find when we make ourself vulnerable and find total love and acceptance from another.<p>This poem is profound. Thank you so much for sharing it!<p>buildnewlife@yahoo.ca

Isn't is beautiful! I saw myself all over this poem as well. It is so moving and brought a tear to my eyes. Glad it inspired others too.

We brush our surfaces
Barely
Like new painters
Afraid
of discolouring the
Canvas
we call
Love.

New on the board and thought that I would bump this up. The W and I are going through some problems at the moment which I will get into later. Printed this poem out and carry it in my wallet - brings me to tears whenever I read it.