Toxic waste
blackened paste
words that stick
hearts defaced

By sludge abused
forever bruised
beneath the crusting
phrases used

Unclean thing
how they cling
defy attempts
to shield the sting

Leprosy
our legacy
every man’s
dark felony

Guard the tongue
from speaking dung
words once said
can’t be unsung

©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020