the weight

it makes you hard you know.
all this push and pull of others on your soul
on
your
heart.

you build boundaries that lie
on different meridians
than the ones you would naturally form.
you find solace and sorrow
mixed
equally
in bones that you didn’t know you had
made aware
only
by
the weight
of loving so many

your mistakes cease to be yours
instead
consumed
as if on fire
.          by the hungry,
.           the ruffled,
.           the critical.

spat back out at your feet
they
hold
the burden of the fulfilment,
.          the enjoyment,
.          the livelihood
of those around you.

submit
and you too will be eaten.

where then
is the balance point
between releasing your shame
and
holding ownership
for what you have the power to change?