My thoughts
don't like to leave
my head.
Out in the world,
whether they be
spoken
or written,
they are exposed and
vulnerable,
susceptible to
theft, critique, ridicule.
They prefer to stay
in my head
where they are safe
and comforted
by the repetition and predictability and
consistency
of like ideals.

My feelings
don't like to leave
my heart.
Out in the world,
whether they be
seen
or felt,
they are exposed and
vulnerable,
susceptible to
manipulation, exploitation, loss.
They prefer to stay
in my heart
where they are safe
and comforted
by the repetition and
predictability and
consistency
of steady heartbeats.