Battered-Self Syndrome

The things I say to myself will make you blush

I tear flesh from bone.

I beat myself into oblivion in the quiet

That way no one can hear me scream.

I come up with excuses to hide the thoughtful bruises

“Look what you made me do!” I scream

A dropped dish, a typo in an email

All worthy offenses of a beating

I would never treat someone else like this

But me, I deserve it

In the secret, in the quiet pain

I will make myself better.