Visibility

It's visible now 

and that scares me.

"Just stay strong," they tell me,

but lately, I'm not sure I know how.

This armor I have built

is beginning to crack-

crumble off my back.

This bright life seemingly destined to wilt.

It's coming out

and I'm terrified.

I'm becoming one with this parasite,

it's existence no longer a doubt.

And for the first time I'm told

"You don't look so well. Are you sure you're okay?"

and no longer do I know what to say

as these symptoms continue to violently unfold.

It's starting to show

and I'm at a loss.

As it reveals to me who's really boss,

 and since then, it's let me know, I'll never outgrow.

They've stopped working properly,

so I reach for a tissue.

The very same thing causing this entire issue,

with no choice but to deal with my body's digression: slow and wobbly.

It's visible now

and that really, truly scares me.

Because now, it's not only what I can see,

but what you can too...

This is who I am.

A warrior fighting a body that fights its own.

A valiant who's felt excruciating pain in every bone. 

It's who I am, and when it comes to you opinion- I don't give a damn.