the past is a pitiful thing
it can consume you
if you let it
it can tear you open
and bear those
terrible secrets
you buried
to the world

the past is a pitiful thing
it can let loose
the animal
that hides
deep under
the skin
clawing
at the insides
of your mind

the past is a pitiful thing
a cross on your back
that breaks you down
vertebrae by vertebrae
ball and chain
dragging you under
holding you
until you cannot breathe
anymore

the past is a pitiful thing
because you are there
and you will never
be in my
future
again

the past is a pitiful thing
eating me alive
bleeding me out
from underneath

the past
is a
pitiful
thing
I am consumed
piece by piece
as I add
another link
to the chain
another weight
to the cross
I slowly fall
under