Two bullies, brothers,
ugly, friends to none,
identical
but not in every way
confront me often.
I hear what they say
and I've determined
who's the toxic one.
I dread the first
because he's in my mind.
Whenever I do wrong
I sense him near.
Though harsh
he preaches
what I ought to hear.
By showing me
my sins
he's almost kind.
Far worse
the other brother
jabs my heart.
My secret self's assaulted
by each slur.
Infected mortally
without a cure,
believing I am bad,
I fall apart.
For Guilt speaks truth
that hurts yet makes me wise,
but Shame,
his brother,
always speaks in lies.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem