Is anyone listening? (a poem)

Is anyone listening?
Does anyone care?
Have I become unpalatable,
is it my burden to bear?

I flay myself
on the altar of art,
cut down to the bone,
break every last part.

I write it on paper,
type it into my phone,
share it with the world,
and feel utterly alone.

I’m not asking for sympathy
or your pity du jour.
I won’t pack this up
and take it on tour.

I just wanted to say
how I feel sometimes,
about the life I live,
written out amongst rhymes.

When it seems most futile,
my attempts all in vain,
I see you there.
Are you feeling the same?

I guess that’s why we do this;
laying it out for all to see.
Because somewhere among you,
someone feels just like me.

~ elr