Skip to content
Linespedia

Shell-Shocked

By safewrite

Topics: Poetry Source: AllPoetry Original source

You can’t do a good job When you are constantly panicked Always looking over your shoulder For the next shoe to drop. Shoes were dropping The whole time you grew up Paranoid defenses were a necessity then But they get in your way now And old habits die hard. Constantly worried Hyper-listening "Did I do something wrong? Will I be yelled at?" Probably not, But that’s what you’re used to. The hell of it is That you feel more at home In abusive companies Than in ones that treat you well. The more unpleasant the circumstances The better your coping skills work . You can set yourself up, Thinking you heard what you didn’t hear Worried that the rug will be Pulled out from under you (But it always has been before). Emotional paraplegic - You haven’t a leg to stand on. Written December 28th, 2001 © on Dec 27 2001 06:19 PM PST   0 • 1

AI analysis available. Enable JavaScript to interact.

About this line

"You can’t do a good job..."

Attribution & Rights

Author:safewrite

Source:AllPoetry

"You can’t do a good job..." by safewrite

For usage rights, copyright concerns, or to report an issue with this content, please visit our Copyright & Report page.

Classified Tags

Related lines

"The ship "Cruelty" Leaves selfishness as its wake And swamps your boat. Swim. Written December 28th, 2001 © on Dec 27 2001 06:24 PM PST   10 • 0 • 1"

"You stole my smile and Left me staggering darkness Then blamed me for it. Written December 28th, 2001 © on Dec 28 2001 06:21 AM PST   0 • 1"

"Save me your platitudes - You don’t understand. If God does, I shudder. Does that mean That this is part Of what Christ bore On the cross? Or does it mean That when they say Christ was tested and trie..."

"You don’t command a cat You win it as a friend A fellow passenger On spaceship Earth Who insists on Being treated With dignity and respect. A dog may protect you And it will offer you its heart Witho..."

"Hear them quack - They’re making noise. Its the sound of progress. Progress! It's finally true. I can see it happening I never thought to see The day I could look forward to Having all my ducks in a ..."

"So this is what it is like To see you again In a professional setting To ignore the ache And smile in a business fashion To fight back tears Once you were out of sight So this is what it is like To s..."

safewrite

About safewrite

Full Bibliography
Continue Reading

"The ship "Cruelty" Leaves selfishness as its wake ..."

Weekly Poetic Insight

Join our literary Sanctuary

Get the most inspiring lines, poetic analysis, and secret shayaris delivered to your inbox every Sunday.