8.3.12

Shame

Shame
sprinkled hot across my cheeks
I pause only to take in my failure

Shame
buried under stacks of paper and books
ground deep into the carpet, left only to turn to dust

Shame
between crumpled paper and ink
hanging onto trash, hanging on to hope

Shame
with every glance I do not give
and every laugh I refuse

With every rock thrown against my back
With every tear I hold back, word I bite back
I am kept back

with Shame

3 comments:

  1. oy shame will def anchor you in place and really jack up your life....the repetition of this def adds to it well...

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  2. I love your repetition of "Shame," capped and on its own line giving it more weight than it deserves. But it's something we struggle to let go of; it constantly resurfaces, insisting that it is a proper noun. Your first and last stanzas are my favorites.

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  3. shame is such a strong force..it keeps us from doing silly things sometimes but also from doing the right things...i always find myself checking back with me if it's a healthy or unhealthy shame...very nicely penned

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