the stain

you try to hide the thoughts you've been
the dark unhealthy dreams you've seen
but nowhere left to tuck them in
the stain is plain upon your chin

the pleasant words you write or speak
have all backfired. you barely eke
one tired smile, reluctant leaked:

you're contagion, and you're unclean, freak!

you try to quarantine away
the you that seeks the light of day
the you that masked, tried to inveigh
the you that had something to say.

before their eyes, your sin is plain
you are, despite yourself, the stain.

you are, despite yourself, a stain.