Shhhh —
don’t say it out loud.
If you don’t say it out loud,
it can’t be true.
You are not a bad friend.
You are not a bad daughter.
You are not a bad mother.
You are not your thoughts.
But how long
can I keep it in?
Fear —
that you’ll see me differently.
Guilt —
that I am actually that bad.
Afraid —
that if I say it,
it becomes true.