The Voices in My Head

You do too much.

You don't do enough.

Don't drink,

or don't drink too much.

Dress this way.

Act this way.

Smile regardless.

Ignore the sharp squeezing hand

behind your back,

the low-pitched growl and scowl.

It was the wrong voice anyway,

didn’t you know?

I never thought touch could be a threat.

Put truth aside and live the lie.

Approval counts more than authenticity.

Don’t show too much,

unless my friends like it

then show away.

Your memories,

your feelings,

your skin.

The Rage. The Rage. The Rage.

I’m not afraid of you anymore,

I say.

Your yelling,

your intimidation.

A sudden change of tone...

Something is wrong with you.

I’m so worried.

… a voice of concern, a voice

of control.

I did the best I could.

Well, you should have done better.

You’re just like me;

you’ll never be happy.

The woman you are

is not real.

But oh yes,

she is real.

She is very real.