Why am I so hard on you?
Because I am hard on me.
And me doesn’t like to hear it from me,
Doesn’t like to believe it could be me.
So me puts it on you. 

I put it on you
Like a dark cloak
Made of mud and gum 
And melting molasses.

“Why is she like that? 
Why can’t she just stand up for herself?
Why is she so insecure?
She’s just doing it for attention.
She’s pathetic.
I hate that she’s like that.”

I hate that I am like that.

But I am trying to be 
More impeccable with my word.
Inflict no harm with my thoughts and speech.
Communicate with the intention of love.

Murder the fear 
That has wallpapered my mind 
For too long. 

Because when I think those thoughts about you
I am poisoning us both. 
Love, forgiveness, and empathy 
Are the antidote.