ignorance was not on my side
despite my best intentions
they had me marked
as some kind of beast
worthy of nothing
call it thug
& what could I do?
once they’ve named you
put the shame into the world
there is no road back to be free
& how could I tell them
the times here all alone
listening to Patty Griffin
into the long night
letting the tears just be
wanting to feel
some other touch
other than my own
& knowing the damage is done
