i should
brand myself
a failure
self-flagellate
for failing to meet
expectations
of those
who wear
white coats
shiny stethoscopes
draped casually
around necks
I should let
their stern eyes
their nonverbal—
but surprisingly loud—
condemnation of
my parenting
echo through my mind
but right now
I am just
too fatigued
just too
damn tired
to bathe
in their judgement
wallow in expected
self-hatred
too worn
from chronic illness
chronic pain
that tightly fitted
jumpsuit of
hair and barbed
wire
even
for that
© 2021 Christine Elizabeth Ray – All Rights Reserved
Brave & Reckless 
No time or energy for the judgements of those not living in the same skin.
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Yes, that.
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Reblogged this on cabbagesandkings524 and commented:
Christine Ray – Irrelevant judgements
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Oh boy do I feel this one today.
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“that tightly fitted jumpsuit of hair and barbed wire” – um, yes!
D
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Thank you Devon!
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Wonderful words Christine!
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