You will laugh
and tell me
I'm not good enough.
And you will make me
believe you.

You will walk me
through a downward spiral
of guilt.

You will fight
until I can't block out
the ringing in my ears.
And you will land
blow
after
blow.

I will tell you
I don't want to hear you.
That you are lying
and I don't believe
you anymore.

But you will know
that isn't true.

I will tell them
that I am confident.
That I have overcome you
to believe myself.

But we will know
that isn't true.

I will tell myself
that you are a challenge
I can overcome.
That you aren't a part of me.
That you aren't me.

But I will know
that isn't true.