descended on earth

the day I was born.

War whispered inside

my rib cage, “failure:

your natural state.”

The fighting words

that only I know.

Famine carved underneath

a single layer of skin,

“dirty slut.” Burn me

with hunger. Itch for touch.

Never be satiated.

Disease tears its way

through my skull,

implanting demons only visible

before reflections that mouth

“seek success but never discover.”

Death coalesces inside,

chilling my bones.

Crushing tendons and ligaments

while murmuring sweetly

out my ear….

“Never worry, for we will always

be with you.”