Shame

There was a time when failure hung like a noose

Around my neck, despite best efforts I was unable to choose

To let go, every interaction with another person reminded me

Of my failure, the shame never let me be free

Fortunately on my next attempt I succeeded

In achieving my goal, the feeling of shame receded..

*

I can now talk about this experience with ease

Because the source of my shame did cease

I was ashamed of having failed, and that shame

The undercurrent of my life became

Until I found the measure of success

I was looking for, shame led to unbearable stress

*

I never felt comfortable expressing my shame

My own shortcomings I continued to analyze and blame

How would shame have shaped my world if I had not

Been able to get over it- I involuntarily shudder at the thought

*

Far too many stories remain untold

Far too many truths people withhold

Because of pervasive feelings of shame

Because of deep-seated beliefs that they are to blame..

From being unspeakable shame its power derives

When we try to bury our shame it thrives

If we can tell our stories to empathetic ears

We can break the cycle of shame, self-blame and fear

If left to fester, shame can metastasize

To all areas of our self-worth before we realize..

*

To allow others to let go of shame

To be an empathetic listener should be my aim

The soul-crushing effect of shame I’ve experienced first-hand

If someone opened up to me, I hope I would understand