Shrink

And as his voice gets bigger
I get smaller
I hug myself tighter
contorting myself to avoid the anger overtaking the room
a deer in headlights
except there is no bloody end in sight

Instead
I must sit here and swallow his bitterness
despite the acrid burn
that lingers in my throat with each mouthful

It hurts
not just his words
Am I now allowed to feel?