humans are a strange type
of animal
in that their instinct is flawed
as they walk halls
talking to people who poke needles
into their souls
animals when hurt have a simple reaction
fight or flight
but we fight ourselves
trying to convince ourselves that they are right
in the lies and hate and rumors
and that it has to be us
because why else would it be said?
and you forgive them because they care
and you've known them for a long time
and they are your mother's friend's daughter
or your teammates significant other
and finally the excuses stop making sense
when you are bleeding out
pouring your blackened soul in a glass
that keeps getting broken every time