sometimes I have to whisper
tiny words into my pillow
the words I need to hear
you are loved
you'll be okay
breathe

they don't stay
they crawl from my pillow onto my skin
then more words must be said
don't scratch

I can't tear the words from my skin
they will leave
unlike the words I don't say
the words I need to be make me better leave
but the words that make me worse stay