scream how you hate me
until your throat is like your knees
when you skid across gravel.

my name should be
sour in your mouth,
the syllables needles
against your lips.

break your teeth
over my bones.
rip my skin
open and swear
you love me.

the guilt should be
cancer in your lungs,
moving in waves
of shame so overwhelming
you turn blue.
but you've always been the good guy,
haven't you?
dressed in white
you condemn me.

take all that I am,
it doesn't matter any more.

"have I ever done anything to hurt you?"
"no."

somehow I am always the sorry one.