The protagonist experiences a profound emotional effect from the secrecy maintained by a significant person in his life. This secrecy does not just create distance; it has a debilitating impact on his state of being, akin to a toxin that infiltrates his very essence. The imagery of numbness conveys a loss of feeling and connection, amplifying the tension between them.

As the poison represents the adverse effects of hidden truths, it highlights the themes of isolation and emotional turmoil. The protagonist’s struggle with intimacy and the consequences of withholding personal truths resonate throughout the narrative, illustrating how concealed feelings can distort relationships and lead to profound alienation.