"Are You OK?" (take two)

“Are you OK?”
By NG Ink


This I wish he had asked,
When I needed it most,
He only shrunk away-
He backed away from my crumbling shell.

I picked myself up,
Trusting no-one, anymore,
Only trusting myself,
I thought I was the only one that cared.

I met a different friend,
“Are you OK?” He asked,
He wanted to hold me,
My arms held but myself, exclusively.

So blind to the gesture,
His help could have saved me,
Such a sincerity,
Gentle was his step- the worry was clear.

My friend can’t be near me,
Too far away to see,
Miles away from a hug,
I hope it’s not too far to say “Help me.”

Too lonely to cry out,
I hide in bed all day,
Can anyone help me?
Once again, I long for “Are you OK?”

It’s built up, and released,
I‘m smoldering away,
Even strangers notice,
Now everyone wonders, “Are you OK?”

"Yes," I slurp up my pride,
Oh, but such a sad face,
Why can’t they leave me be?
What a kind question, but so much pain’s drawn out.

I keeps my arms folded-
Closed tight across my chest,
Holding myself for aid,
Because I’m the only one I can trust- right?