a label, a comment, a word –
has to be dealt with
you cannot impart it, give it, pass it –
and expect no reaction
but people do…
they pick up your palette
and turn all the colours blue

a fear is not a fact
an opinion
is not evidence
say so,
is just the old heave ho

they pile on the pressure
and we scream –
to be let out
in this life –
is this what it is all about?

and,
where would begin
no one rocks the boat
because no one can swim