'Nothings'

I guess this is about keeping quiet when there's a whole lot of pain you can't express and how it cuts you off from the world. I'm new to poetry so please let me know what you think

I walked with silent 'nothings',
They wouldn't let me be.
Always at my elbow.
Perhaps they walked with me.

From time to time we argued,
From time to time we talked,
From time to time they pushed me down
In silence as we walked.

The 'nothings' walked around me
Like guards who march in rank.
If not a soul could touch me
It's them I have to thank.

We passed a man one morning
Who asked me who they were.
'Just empty nothings, worthless.
They're not your trouble, sir.'

Closed ranks forced marching onward.
A knife held to my ribs.
'They're silent nothings, harmless.'
Their finger on my lips.