the inferiority complex

i have never been one
to browse the dictionary
for a new word every day

but, uncharacteristically
i do obsessively
look up meanings
of new words i see
and struggle to use
as many of them
everyday
in fear of misspeaking
lest someone misunderstand
and mistake
my curiosity for intrusion
my hesitation for misgiving
my forgetfulness for apathy
or my surprise for malice.

so when Adler said
the need for language is
born out of inferiority
it wasn't all
so surprising to me
anymore.