Toxic Shame

Here's one of the poems I wrote for an exhibit at school during Domestic Abuse Awareness Week. It's about toxic shame.

Toxic shame is a specific kind of shame caused by abuse. It is "the feeling of being flawed and diministed and never measuring up. Toxic shame feels much worse than guilt. With guilt, you've done something wrong; but you can repair that - you can do something about it. With toxic shame there's something wrong with you and there's nothign you can do about it; you are inadequate and defective. Toxic shame is the core of the wounded child. This meditation sums up the ways that the wonderful child got wounded. The loss of your I AMness is spiritual bankruptcy. The wonder child is abandoned and all alone." ((Definition from the website with the poem linked below))

I would also highly recommend checking out this poem HERE about toxic shame. It is marvellously written.
Without further ado, my poem:

Toxic Shame

Caused by shortcomings
(Can’t you do anything right?)
Caused by impropriety
(You know you want it, slut.)

Leading to reproach
(You should know better.)
Leading to disgrace
(Not you. You’re pathetic.)

Begetting guilt
(I’m wrong. It’s my fault.)
Begetting humiliation
(I’m embarrassed and mortified.)

State misunderstood
Condition of self and society values violated
Purple-green straggle of emotions –
confusion, inadequacy, fear,
chagrin, inferiority

Toxic shame is a thief
of worth, self-respect,
honor, and confidence

Used as a weapon it intimidates,
it pollutes the self,
strips them of defense,
fills them with self-contempt,
condemns, subdues, diminishes,
restrains, controls