[I tried to put] my emotions into a box, and I locked it away. It was a fool's errand.

Carrying

the guilt gave me sadness.

It gave me nothing

but bitterness, frustration.

I put away everything

that I had ever been given

while I was in the Coast Guard.

All my awards,

plaques that I was given,

I put everything in a box

and I locked it.

I also, within that box,

I locked or tried to anyway,

that sense of guilt,

frustration, helplessness.

I tried to put everything away,

both material items,

tangible items,

and my emotions into a box.

And I locked it away.

It was a fool's errand.