honestly, i regret it. all
the dreadful decisions made in haste.
no need to persist. now

prefer to face the consequences. be made
an example of. of, what not to do
than, embody this shell. now insignificant

break me open for all to see. strip me
bare. slice me deep. carve me
to the bone.

i want to watch you loose
the vestigial souls.
that made this body home.

set me ablaze. let me smolder
to ash. ride the wind to the sea.

free from this melancholy place,
and this curse you cast on me.

Tiffany Nicole Pigeé, a writer and poet, is the author of On My Best Day (2021). She finds inspiration for her work from life experience and healing from complex trauma.