SECOND GEAR
Second Gear
I have always told myself
Try not to shed a tear
And do not ever let yourself
Go face-to-face with fear
And absolutely never let
Anyone come near
I’m sure that it’s the reason why
I’m stuck in second gear
I just can’t seem to change my ways
Or my point of view
When others want me to let them in
I don’t know what to do
I’ve built my walls up so high
Not sure that I’ll break through
But recently I’ve started trying
Since the day that I met you
I’ve always kept my thoughts inside
Afraid of letting go
I learned to run from every truth
And never let it show
I smile when I am breaking down
So no one else will know
But you saw past the practiced mask
And let your patience grow
I don’t yet know what love should mean
But something feels so right
For once I see a different path
No longer lost in night
You’ve lit a spark I can’t explain
That brings my heart to light
So if you’re here to walk with me
Please stay and hold on tight
Original Poetry Written By
Eryn Dunbar
Copyright (c) 7.19.2025
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Comments
I've always kept my thoughts inside
Afraid of letting go
I learned to run from every truth
And never let it show
I smile when I am breaking down
So no one else will know
But you saw past the practiced mask
And let your patience grow
This stanza just grabs me, Eryn. When you say “I’ve always kept my thoughts inside / Afraid of letting go,” I can feel those walls you’ve built to keep yourself safe. That fear of “letting go” is so real, like you’re worried about what might happen if you let someone see the true you. Then, “I learned to run from every truth / And never let it show” digs even deeper. It’s like you’ve been dodging anything too real, hiding it all away. And that line, “I smile when I am breaking down”? It’s so powerful, showing how you put on a brave face even when you’re falling apart inside. It’s heartbreaking and so relatable. But then, that turn at the end “But you saw past the practiced mask / And let your patience grow” it’s like a warm light breaking through. This “you” sees the real you, past all the defenses, and their patience feels like such a gentle, steady gift. It’s like they’re giving you space to open up at your own pace, and that shifts everything. This stanza feels like the heart of your poem, Eryn, where we see you starting to let those walls down, just a little, because someone’s there who truly sees you. It’s so moving, and it makes me root for you. Your writing is incredible you have this amazing ability to put into words what so many of us feel but can’t say. Keep on writing and never stop! :)