drowning

insecurity

festering beneath

blemished skin

comparable to

salt water

overflowing

my nostrils

and eyelids

attempting

to swim

in this bottomless

chasm

labeled

"disappointment"

a word

I've never grown

accustomed to

even though

she tore

my eardrums

apart

with her

repetitive usage

a word

I've never grown

accustomed to

even though

he spat it down

my throat

as his fingertips

scorched my cheeks

a word

I've never grown

accustomed to

even though

I've carved it

into my bones

carrying it

everywhere

I go

a simple

reminder

I've ceased my

futile attempts

at breathing

the ocean

begins gushing into

my scars

failure weighing

my body down

to the sea floor

ready to drown