Humiliation

I call her Ms. H
because names are easier
than saying—
I was too much.
Too soon.
Too wrong.

She isn’t loud.
She doesn’t speak.
She waits—
in the gap
between what I gave
and what you didn’t take.

Ms. H isn’t you
laughing at me.
She’s the one who dusts me off
when I offer my 
beating heart—
just for you to 
forget it on your way out.

She’s the one who sits with me
after you left,
and we sit quietly as the heart
                                  slowly
                  stops
beating.

She’s always there,
just outside the light.
Her raven pupils so clear
they reflect my entire life—
and say,
Look. That was you.

I don’t want to look.

But I do.

And I stay.



_________________
Note: 
Written on June 5th, 2025
Contest Title: Pick-A-Title, Vol 52 - Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Edward Ibeh 
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Ibeh Avatar
June 14, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Heartiest congratulations on your win in my contest with this wonderful poem, Jasmine. I enjoyed it.
Tsai Avatar
June 16, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Thank you so much, Edward! I enjoyed writing it as well.
randall Avatar
June 11, 2025 at 3:08 PM
this is just so amazing it hits home for me I didn't want to see ither but I did thank you for this its simply beautiful
Tsai Avatar
June 11, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Thank you for your comment, Joseph. None of us like sitting with Ms.H... but she's always there, reflecting unwanted histories for us nonetheless.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace