Why do I stumble over my words,
in this mad desire to be heard.

Staggering, fast and without pause,
nervous that you will notice the flaws.

Reason and emotion stand on opposite ends,
pretending that they don’t have the same intent.

If I can survive this night, my heart intact,
then maybe I will, finally, no longer react.

To words others say, our names always combined,
the past, by which, I no longer chose to be defined.

© Manivillie Kanagasabapathy