Hush Hush, I Must

[ An excerpt from my first self-published book:

"QUICKJAB PRESENTS, 22 POEMS FOR 2022" ]

Hush, Hush, I Must by Arriel

Never satisfied

crossing paths with my reflection.

Stopping time

with my squinty eyes

and blotchy complexion.

Always betraying myself,

having mastered deception.

I look back at me,

unforgivingly,

and with much contention.

Forgive yourself,

Love yourself,

You’ll be okay - they keep saying.

But I torment myself.

I loathe myself.

Each day is dismaying.

This battle is internal

and classified Top Secret.

The monster I have manifested,

I don’t ever speak of it.

It’s seeping out now,

allowing me to write this poem.

But I will control the ooze,

so it won’t seep into your home.

My aptitude seems driven by my pain and anguish.

Maybe we all store demons we’d like to vanquish.

This number two pencil has perpetually served as my stake.

Always scratching out and dotting “i’s” where I may.

In the end, once again...

a spell has kept my monster at bay.

So I take a moment of silence,

For having made it

one

more

day.