Judgement – Chalkboard

if their presence was more

Is it a choice
if the world says “have to”
if God threatens damnation
if my fears compel me

I try to listen to my own words
sift out judgements
catch assumptions
but it seems I’m deaf
oblivious as they
slip out and…

Demeaned and berated
Judged and suffocated
And yet the need to be
Validated!