The heat that it comes bearing,
swelling inside to unbearable lengths
Pushing its tendrils throughout my unwilling frame
Insufferable and ever-present,
lingering long past it’s welcome 

It comes in waves, lead by an errant memory, or the mere thought of action
Violent surges of introspective punishment, 
unyielding to reason or promise
Guilt courses through my veins thicker than blood ever has
Deserved or not, it’s unrelenting 
A homegrown prison that cages me faithfully, until the end