The Bully

I peer from behind the dark

All shriveled within

Afraid to unwind

To rest, to defend

Vigilant and alert

Her hot breath on my cheeks

I can no longer cope

She is there

Looming outside the door

I am tied up in the closet

Afraid to come out, to be seen

To be known at all

It’s dark in here and lonely

I’m tired from this fight

I’m exhausted from pretending I like it in here

I am alone and unseen

More afraid the longer I stay here

But she is out there

Looming with her dark shadow

Over the doorway and if I open the door

Even a crack

She will pounce on me

She will scream and belittle me

Until I cannot stand it any longer

And I run back into the safety of this small space

But now I am no longer trying to leave

I’m just cornered and wrapped up

In my own arms on the floor in this closet

Afraid I will never get out

Because she is always waiting there

To bully me and oppress me

And make me feel like I am smaller

Than small

But of course

The bully is me

I cannot get her to leave

So I am

Trapped