The Lies My Brain Has Told Me: a Poem

That I’m worthless,
a whiner,
that I am nothing,
nobody,
these are the lies my brain has told me.

That my work and words are pitiful,
worthless drivel,
that no one ever
enjoys them,
these are the lies my brain has told me.

That my politics are misguided,
that power thrives
and I, in my isolation,
am impotent,
these are the lies my brain has told me.

That it would have been better
not to be a burden
and to relieve my parents
of my poverty,
these are the lies my brain has told me.

That nothing I do
will be of note
and I shall die unknown
and unloved,
these are the lies my brain has told me.

But I do not have to listen to them
anymore.