Personified

Shame is one of my best friends. He is always with me, always reminding me of what i've done, always in control. My friend Shame is a tall, lean fellow. He only wears grey and black, with little holes in his shirts and his jeans. He is quite pale, with piercing grey eyes with flakes of white that go on forever. Shame's smile is what draws me in, his confident, all knowing smile. When he is right, the left side of his lips part ever so slightly to show his white, perfect teeth. The breath around his mouth comes out as white haze flows from his lips. His finger nails are dirty, and chipped. But that's from always holding the chains.

The chains never leave Shame's hands. He always has them, ready to heave at any given moment. A word, a smell, a sound, a name, a song. Whatever he wants, Shame pulls as hard as he can. The chains tighten around my head to make me dizzy and confused. My fight or flight reflex kicks in, as i try to run the chains tighten around my neck, arms, waist and feet. i am completely paralyzed.

"Please..." i gasp, hardly able to take a breath. "please stop doing this to me."

His grey eyes flash to my eyes, he looks deep into my soul. Without missing a beat, he hisses in a low, mocking tone says, " You did this to yourself."

Barely audible, i cry, "I know."