Forced Exposure

Expression of indifference and my inward fixation

Perturbed your confidence in your divisive domination

I tried for impassive stoicism to reside apart from known abuses

Pillars of domestic legalism — my fight for liberty was no use

I was putty to the pain you feigned as if I’d committed the worst betrayal

I knew your talk would be an energy drain but I hoped you weren’t so egotistical

Your words insist on context fluidity

A few ‘Good, Better, Best’s and my case lost validity

You use ‘protect’ and ‘love’ interchangeably

But rules don’t make up for weak security

You kept me so fearful and possessed me so well

My distrust of people secured my own cell

And when my frustrations were too much to bear

I took your offered comfort and let my truth tear.

—Melissa Lundell