I’ve feasted on stress
far more than my fear,
that gagged me completely,
like a hard-swallowed tear.

Forced down my guilt
with an unsharpened knife,
so it could not consume my piteous life…
Drank many a punch bowl,
self-loathing and hate,
that corroded my soul,
an acid substrate.
Ingested abuses
with a large serving spoon,
and to make it immune…