Repeatedly she self-describes aloud.
“Emotional” she calls her point of view.
She’s plugging into feelings, and she’s proud
to publicize what’s in her heart as true.
She makes me recollect the man who claimed
he’s so endowed and full of empathy
he’s almost paralyzed – he’s frozen-framed,
by feelings trapped, retarded frequently.

Conversing once, I heard myself declare
that though I’m tough outside, in fact, within
I’m mush, I’m insecure, I’m stung by air
that gets through cuts to underneath my skin.
And then I laughed, for my pathetic claim
was not unique. In this we’re all the same.