Anger, fear, grief—

Yes, they live inside me.

They wrap their chains around my wrists,

Bind my ankles, and drag me down—

Down, down, into the depths

Of misery.

Yet never have they managed

To leave me broken, debilitated,

In such a way

As does this feeling.

This incessant ache,

This soul-devouring parasite—

Unrelenting,

Unforgiving,

A sickness with a name.

They call it shame.