You’re free to air out
your grievances as you see fit,
but all that means is that
every one gets a chance
to look them over.
The stain is plain as day
ingrained in the off-whites
of your eyes,
it permeates —
it’s in how you carry yourself,
how you react.
And you may try to hide
but the stench travels
for miles.
Don’t be surprised
when you get sniffed out,
it was bound to happen.
Your hands are dyed
and your hands are tied,
but fingerprints, every so often,
paint very clear pictures.
You didn’t start it,
but you didn’t end it,
and now the egg on your face
will not simply come off.
Eat the frog,
eat crow,
do what you have to now
to cleanse everyone’s
palates —
for your sake.