Their Faults Are Mine

They watch me from
Behind glazed eyes.
Eyebrows bunched,
Forehead furrowed;
A premanent scowl.
They strip me
Of my honour.
Dignity.
My freedom enclosed
In their hands.
They leave behind my
Naked truths
And their
Decetiful lies.
Accusing.
Abusing.
Besmirching.
Belittling.
Every innocent act of mine.
I sit, watching them watch me;
Trying to ignore their
Assailing eyes.
Their words whipping about
My immune ears,
Whirling in my numb mind,
Tearing at my battered heart,
Simply to lay
A truth before me,
That I've known all my life,
But the existence of which
They've only just realised.
I shrink into my corner.
A hand lashes out.
Fists punching,
Legs kicking,
Words spitting
Out of their mouths.
Calumniating.
Circumventing.
Denigrating.
Depraving.
My actions, speech, freedom,
And murdering my
Non-existent confidence.
I shrink away into myself,
They think me
Arrogant.
Obstinate.
Heartless.
Cruel.
But I know
That it's all what
They've
Put into me.
They think their words
Bounce off my pride,
But I know
That that
Was the day
I.
Died.
Inside.