"Paper Heart"

Everyone has a different kind of heart
Some are wonderful works of art
Made of ivory or glass or diamond or gold
They're all sights to behold

Others, however, aren't as sublime
Those made of seaweed or dust or grime
And then there are those in between
Like those of eggshells and marbles and spleen

All hearts are special and unique
Whether they belong to the strong or to the meek
But there is one that is set apart
And that, is the paper heart

The paper heart tears quickly
And those who have one are usually prickly
And when it tears,
It takes too long to repair

Most people with this particular heart
Seal it behind steel bars
It keeps it hidden away
From people who don't watch what they say

In time, the paper heart will die
All its uniqueness will wither and dry
The steel bars that locked it away
Will become where it decays

If it wishes to be reborn
It must take off its thorns
It must let the world inside
And stop trying to hide