You feel it creeping in
Starts in the middle of your spine
Spreads throughout your bones
Still, you whisper you are fine
Your words go unspoken
Your lips do not speak
Just a half hearted smile
And truths that you keep
Buried in the corners
Of your ravaged heart
Your mind becomes twisted
And sets you apart
From the rest of crowd
In the room milling about
They’ve known you for years
But can’t figure you out
They say hello from a distance
Or as they pass by
Quickly stepping around you
And diverting their eyes.
You know their truths
The narcissistic egos
A glance in their direction
Leaves them feeling exposed.
You make them self conscious
And painfully aware
Their skin starts to crawl
From your deadpan stare.
They’re putting on a show
To convince others you see
Reputation is not character
For it lacks integrity.
RaenellDawn 12/09/2017
