Creature inside of me

Once upon a time I put my heart in a locked box far away
Away from anyone's touches
Pacing the walls and in the corner it crouches
But like a mind of its own it starts resisting
This thing inside me doesn't like listening

I can be mean and I can be rough
Emotions cold and life tough
I used to be so innocent, happy as can be
But inside I'm broken, Immune to my pleas

No one knows behind this smile
My tears could last a mile or two
But it's fine, all my feelings I file
Away from any prying eyes
I step away and put on a disguise

I put people before me because that's what I do
It's the only way I know to pull myself through
The darkness and shame riddling my soul
Resulting in emotions I cannot control

Fingers nimbling at the edge of the lock
Every once in a while someone comes and knocks
The creature inside of me that I put away
Comes out and wants to play
This creature who only knows how to break
Can't help these feelings and begins to shake

It cowers and flees back inside
The place where it came from the place where it hides
Not knowing how to deal well
Locks itself up and builds a shell
Walls go up and feelings gone
Looks like I'm back to stage one