Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. (Alcoholics Anonymous, page 62)

I didn’t mean to do it — whatever it was.
I wasn’t thinking about you. Sorry, but it’s true.
I’m kind of centered in me, about all the time.
I wish I weren’t, but my fears, my insecurities
run rampant, drown out what you say,
eclipse what you do – unless it spikes the fear,
unless it makes me feel like less, which happens,
all the time. I didn’t mean to do it, but I did.
I understand, now, why I resent you so, what you did
when I did what I did, and how my selective memories
leave out a rather major cause.