PoemsBrowse PoemsSlamsFresh DropEchoes
LearnWriting TipsPoetry TermsPoets & ArtistsBooksFor Teachers
ExplorePoetry GenomePoem MapEchoesTake ActionGroups
AboutWrite a PoemDonateSign UpLog In

Shame!


[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"67010","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","style":"width: 380px; height: 264px;","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]

Shame! 

What it is.

 

Unlike guilt,

makes your soul wilt,

unlike guilt,

shame focuses on blame!

 

Your experience?

Pain!

 

No repentance,

no contrition,

no sincere abolition,

all about condemnation!

 

You ask yourself,

“Would you leave if you knew me?”,

“Would you scold me?”,

or “Would you hold me?”,

while I shake uncontrollably!

 

Shame! 

A cycle of pain,

ruptures and fissures,

 

Grace? 

There’s no space!

Instead a race to hide,

not to confide.

 

Keeping secrets,

keeping pain,

being broken,

being shamed.

 

Disgracing your nation,

facing temptation,

experiencing alienation.

 

Cultures clashing,

teeth gnashing,

self-bashing,

Shame,

what it is!

 

 

 

 

 

©All Rights Reserved

Something wrong with this poem?

Share

Replies are closed for this poem.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988, 24/7. Crisis Text Line — text HELLO to 741741.

sam louie

I'm an Asian-American psychotherapist, spoken word poet, author, and speaker on "Asian shame", addictions, and multicultural issues. I'm also an Emmy Award-Winning former television news journalist. My links: www.samlouiemft.com www.samlouiespeaks.com www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/minority-report

View all poems →

Your Poem's Voice

See what makes your poem unique — its voice, energy, themes, and the literary traditions it draws from.

Comments (2)

sam louie
<p>thank you!</p>
dhpage23
Great!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!!!

Comments are closed for this poem.