I act tough but I know I’m not,
for my mind is of steel but my heart is of fluff –
simple guilt evolves into something greater,
a “something” that I can never ignore.
Don’t judge, don’t yell, don’t pity,
don’t lie, don’t hide, please –
don’t worry.
Don’t press upon me any hint of guilt
for my heart will beat and multiply the emotion until it’s unbearable,
unforgivingly heavy,
irrationally overwhelming.
Guilt burns this feathered heart,
turning the white muscle into webs of yellow, orange, red –
fire.
And as my insides succumb to flame,
my skin turns a purple only I can see with my watering eyes,
bruised, by the pounding fists of guilt.
Deception to my mind,
makes me feel unworthy of the clothes on my back,
I no longer have claims to my own thoughts,
my own heart –
a traitor unto its own self –
damaging,
burning,
guilty.






