It seeped into my bones like arsenic
It threaded through my veins like a crimson needle
It climbed my ribs and settled on my heart
It clawed at my skin like sandpaper rubbing me raw
It ate away my soul like a starving beast
The Dread
The dread of opening my eyes
The dread of droning through a day
The dread of restless, sleepless nights
The dread of purple circles under my eyes being covered with makeup
And my decaying self pulling on a smiling mask
