Advice from an Idiot

By: Nicki Klar

I was told that the pain I felt was not permanent,

that my moods would shift and I would learn

to hammer nails into hidden places and hang pictures on them.

I was told that the pit in my stomach could be released with one

belch,

and as long as I cleaned up afterwards

no one would know.

I was told that I was loved.

that my feelings were safe and forgiven,

and that you would be there to numb the discomfort.

four years later,

I still feel pain

the pit in my stomach continues to rot

and you don’t love me.