NEED external warmth.

a hug
a kind glance
kind words that
ask for nothing in return.
like the WORLD is my mother.

"Help me, please?"

she says, in a very small voice.

I am ashamed of asking
of wanting
of needing.

the shame curdles my belly,
makes food sour
and rot
in my mouth.

because I cannot DIGEST it,
you see,
I was taught,
was told

that *I*
didn’t matter.

maybe never
in so many WORDS
but in
EVERY
OTHER
WAY

possible.