Words You Wear Like Chains

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The words you use are traps pre-set,

Loaded with blame, soaked in regret,

They smuggle the “should” and the shame inside,

You don’t even notice they’ve got you hog-tied?

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"Maybe" keeps you floating there in the air,

"I'll do my best" — a promise stripped bare,

"I want to start tomorrow" a feeling, not fact,

A-lying to yourself with no plan to attack.

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"Have to" and "must" steal your choice away,

"Deserve" writes verdicts that limits your play,

"Undeserving" brands you and makes you wrong,

“Why did you do that?!" shames you all along.

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"I'm behind, need to catch up," you declare,

Shoe-horning yourself right into despair.

"Stressed out," "overwhelmed" — resisted fear disguised,

You ignore the truth, wearing reasonable lies.
 

The words you use are traps pre-set,

Loaded with blame, soaked in regret,

They smuggle the “should” and the shame inside,

You don’t even notice they’ve got you hog-tied?
 

"Cheater," "selfish," "cruel" condemn what was done,

Into judgments of what you think should be shunned,

You did not do but what you must be,

That label that drowns your humanity.

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"Guilty" is not about facing the past,

Than proving your suffering is holding steadfast,

A preemptive performance, your social defense,

Beating others to the punch, “I meant no offence.”

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The errors alone would create only some cost,

But judgment makes them into toxic exhaust.

Strip away those “shoulds” and the suffering will clear,

And words become honest as the lies disappear.
 

The words you use are traps pre-set,

Loaded with blame, soaked in regret,

They smuggle the “should” and the shame inside,

You don’t even notice they’ve got you hog-tied?
 

The words you use are traps pre-set,

Loaded with blame, soaked in regret,

They smuggle the “should” and the shame inside,

You don’t even notice they’ve got you hog-tied?