unlock that closet

I know you feel that every thump of your heart,

when your mind answers to the thoughts of doubt

and sings a hymn of hesitation.

You hear the whispers of limitations 

and the can't be dones

slowly 

increasing.

The loud echo of inferiority

bounces back into the bed 

where you use your fears as a blanket

scattered over and not folded

the pillowcases are printed with rejections 

you dream about every night. 

You do not change them,

because your closet is locked, 

with fallen hopes 

and broken hearts 

as its password 

I know you see that shadows on the wall 

of what you've been 

and the trophies with reflection 

of what you've lost 

and will keep on losing 

if you don't fold your sheets 

and iron your clothes of shame. 

The medals that hang just above your head 

will fall anytime 

if you don't fix the rusty nail, 

but changing it would be better. 

Your paintings are smudged 

with your cold and wet fingers 

and the frame on your bedside table is cracked. 

The picture of your smiling face 

seems like a faraway memory 

locked in the closet again.

Your body is still stuck in the bed of a hard mattress 

and you feel all the aches 

you think you deserve.

That used and the dirty shirt is lying on the floor,

waiting for that moment to be picked up, 

segregated,

and washed.

I know you smell that stinky shoes 

you let loose on the rack just beside your door. 

You embraced each drop of rain 

from your head to your foot 

and let your umbrella of bravery

fall into the puddles of weakness.

You let the truck with fading paint 

run over it 

because you were engrossed in your waterworks.

I know you think it's too late to dry yourself

or to open your eyes and see the sun 

peeking in that dusty window,

you think that shoving the curtain will be no use, 

but let me tell you that every thump of your heart 

is the hope you can use to unlock the closet of shattered dreams. 

You can change your pillow cases with dry and clean slate linens,

you can fold your blanket and feel the wind in your arms, 

you can open the lights and turn it off once you're not scared of the past. 

You can paint again your smile 

and replace the glasses of vulnerability.

You can leave the bed and throw away the stinky shoes 

your closet will open again and there's more of them to use.