hate springs eternal
from the deep, dark caverns in which we were raised
breached security of childhood bedrooms
filthy mattresses in abandoned houses
gutters and alleys and dirty public bathrooms.
we were dragged through the muck and expected to come out clean.
hate springs eternal
in the flashing eyes of those who would pass judgment
the twisted, feral grimaces they wear
their clawing, beating, stabbing hands
the sharp, staccato bursts of venomous words.
they hurl stones at glass houses and wonder why we break.
hate springs eternal
when the bitter contagion flows into our ears
when it oozes under our skin and boils our blood
when it takes control of our bodies and annihilates our brains
and when it then trickles slowly from our own mouths.