Shhhh! Do you hear the whispers? 
ones that taunt, laugh and persuade 
they are here, there, everywhere
as I latibulate with my face to the wall

Sometimes they chant a single word
in chorus or in perpetual canon
until the sound overwhelms my thoughts
Shhhh! Do you hear the whispers?

The sopranos ridicule the insecurities 
the altos deride the sense of worth
the baritones instigate my penance
ones that taunt, laugh and persuade

As I eat the bland offerings from the tray
or wash in the monitored shower
or swallow the mix of pills without water
they are here, there, everywhere

Countless efforts to mute the chaos 
redeemed by a single contraband pencil
to destroy the tympanic membranes
as I latibulate with my face to the wall