Defeated. Coward. Gutless. Weak.

Perceptions that define the man I’ve become on the inside.
The world doesn’t see me this way—but this is who I am when no one’s looking.

Sullied. Contaminated. Worthless. Masked.

The way I see myself bleeds into every part of my life.
The world sees someone clean, untouched, whole.
But beneath the surface, I’m nothing but scars and filth I can’t scrub away.

The world sees us one way.
We see ourselves another.

Perceptions are the cages we build—
made from guilt, shame, and what we believe we deserve.

*Includes Short Story: SAVIOR