Shame Poem by Erika Wingo

It is my deepest,
Darkest shame
My never ending blame
The kind that makes you
Turn away from your own reflection
And steers you in the wrong
Direction
Leaves you wondering
Who you once were
Trying to make sense
Of an endless blur
That keeps you spinning
Round and round
Unable to ignore the
Echoing sounds
From a past that raped you
Sore and raw
Wearing a mask
To hide the flaws
Ingesting poisons
To dull the pain
It is this deep, dark shame
That molded me into
What I became