The Hell We Call Home

We take so much shit
tolerating torrents of torment
forever testing our patience

We've been built
to bare a load
brought on by barrages
of baseless bitching

Always being told
to take the flack
that's dished down to us
with an undue amount of practiced poise

Never to complain
about the crap
that's heaped on our hearts
harrowing any hope of contentment

We refuse to fight back
for fear of an answering alienation,
scared to escape the hell that we know
as we're sure we wouldn't survive
if in the world
we were to wind up with much worse.

[An older poem of mine]